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Deepwater pipefish (Cosmocampus profundus) — Syngnathidae

Deepwater pipefish

Cosmocampus profundus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Deepwater pipefish (Cosmocampus profundus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
180.0–270.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Deepwater pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from reef, weed and seagrass water of the deeper western Atlantic. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a very slender, armoured, tubular body with a long, tubular snout and a small, toothless mouth. As a calm dweller it shelters among weed, seagrass and coral rubble and sucks up minute crustaceans. As in all pipefishes the male carries the eggs until they hatch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater pipefish?

The Deepwater pipefish has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Deepwater pipefish live?

The Deepwater pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: USA

How big does the Deepwater pipefish get?

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

Is the Deepwater pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Deepwater pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Cosmocampus profundus
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
180.0 verified
Max depth (m)
270.0 verified
Natural range
North America: USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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

Same genus Cosmocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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