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Dwarf pipehorse (Acentronura tentaculata) — Syngnathidae

Dwarf pipehorse

Acentronura tentaculata
Family: Syngnathidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Dwarf pipehorse (Acentronura tentaculata) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The dwarf pipehorse is a minute member of the pipefish family from the Indo-West Pacific, a transitional form between pipefish and seahorse. The species reaches only about 6 cm and has a slender, bony-ringed, brown-green body with skin appendages that let it blend in with weed and seagrass. With its tubular snout it sucks up minute crustaceans. As in pipefishes, the male carries the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf pipehorse?

The Dwarf pipehorse has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a marbled pattern. Transitional form between pipefish and seahorse; the male carries the eggs

Where does the Dwarf pipehorse live?

The Dwarf pipehorse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Dwarf pipehorse get?

The Dwarf pipehorse grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Dwarf pipehorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf pipehorse 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 Dwarf pipehorse edible?

The Dwarf pipehorse is not usually eaten.

More photos

Dwarf pipehorse (Acentronura tentaculata) — Syngnathidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Nhobgood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Dwarf pipehorse (Acentronura tentaculata) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ewout Knoester, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Dwarf pipehorse (Acentronura tentaculata) — Syngnathidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Nhobgood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Dwarf pipehorse (Acentronura tentaculata) — Syngnathidae — 5
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
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All data

Identification

English name
Dwarf pipehorse verified
Scientific name
Acentronura tentaculata
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Northern little pipehorse; Pipehorse; Shortpouch pygmy pipehorse; Short-pouch pygmy pipehorse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Marbled 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific 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
Camouflaged pygmy pipehorse; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Transitional form between pipefish and seahorse; 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

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