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Bloodspot pipefish (Corythoichthys haematopterus) — Syngnathidae

Bloodspot pipefish

Corythoichthys haematopterus
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bloodspot pipefish (Corythoichthys haematopterus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–21.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The reef-flat pipefish is a pipefish of the family Syngnathidae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a very elongate, thin, armoured body with a long tubular snout and a fine, mottled pattern. It inhabits shallow, sheltered areas of rubble and sand of reef flats and lagoons, where it stays among the substrate. With its tubular snout it sucks up small crustaceans and other zooplankton like a pipette. As in seahorses and other pipefishes the male carries the eggs in a brood fold under the tail. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bloodspot pipefish?

The Bloodspot pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Bloodspot pipefish live?

The Bloodspot pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bloodspot pipefish get?

The Bloodspot pipefish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Bloodspot pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bloodspot pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bloodspot pipefish edible?

The Bloodspot pipefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rode-zeenaaldvis sourced
English name
Bloodspot pipefish verified
Scientific name
Corythoichthys haematopterus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Messmate pipefish; Pipefish; Reeftop pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.8 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
21.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Corythoichthys

More from the family Syngnathidae

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