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Deep-bodied pipefish (Kaupus costatus) — Syngnathidae

Deep-bodied pipefish

Kaupus costatus
Family: Syngnathidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Deep-bodied pipefish (Kaupus costatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Australia (endemic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The deepbody pipefish is a small pipefish endemic to coastal and estuarine water of southern Australia. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a bony-ringed body that is somewhat deeper in the middle, and a short, tubular snout with which it sucks up small food. It lives among seagrass and weed in shallow bays and estuaries. As in pipefishes, the male carries the eggs beneath its tail. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deep-bodied pipefish?

The Deep-bodied pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Slightly deeper mid-body and a tubular snout; the male carries the eggs

Where does the Deep-bodied pipefish live?

The Deep-bodied pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southern Australia (endemic)

How big does the Deep-bodied pipefish get?

The Deep-bodied pipefish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Deep-bodied pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Deep-bodied pipefish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Deep-bodied pipefish edible?

The Deep-bodied pipefish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Deep-bodied pipefish (Kaupus costatus) — Syngnathidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) amberrizz84, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Deep-bodied pipefish (Kaupus costatus) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) David Spencer Muirhead, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Deep-bodied pipefish (Kaupus costatus) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Dan Monceaux, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Deep-bodied pipefish (Kaupus costatus) — Syngnathidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Janine Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Deep-bodied pipefish verified
Scientific name
Kaupus costatus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Deepbody pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.9 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Southern Australia (endemic) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Minute crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Seagrass-dwelling pipefish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Slightly deeper mid-body and a tubular snout; the male carries the eggs sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Syngnathidae

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