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Duncker's pipefish (Bryx dunckeri) — Syngnathidae

Duncker's pipefish

Bryx dunckeri
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Duncker's pipefish (Bryx dunckeri) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Shallow seagrass beds of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Bryx dunckeri, the pugnose pipefish, is a small pipefish of the family Syngnathidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species has a very slender, snake-like, armoured body with a short, blunt snout and reaches about 7 cm. It is semi-pelagic and is commonly found in shallow turtle-grass beds. With its small tube snout it sucks up small zooplankton and crustaceans. Like other pipefishes the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch under the tail, from which young fish are born. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Duncker's pipefish?

The Duncker's pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Short, blunt snout; the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch under the tail.

Where does the Duncker's pipefish live?

The Duncker's pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Shallow seagrass beds of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.

How big does the Duncker's pipefish get?

The Duncker's pipefish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Duncker's pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Duncker's 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 Duncker's pipefish edible?

The Duncker's pipefish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Duncker's pipefish (Bryx dunckeri) — Syngnathidae — 2
Kent Miller (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Duncker's pipefish (Bryx dunckeri) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) shawnphoenix, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Duncker's pipefish (Bryx dunckeri) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Duncker's pipefish (Bryx dunckeri) — Syngnathidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) shawnphoenix, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Duncker's pipefish verified
Scientific name
Bryx dunckeri
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Pugnose pipefish; Pugnose Pipefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Shallow seagrass beds of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Short, blunt snout; the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch under the tail. 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

Same genus Bryx

More from the family Syngnathidae

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