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Red pipefish (Festucalex erythraeus) — Syngnathidae

Red pipefish

Festucalex erythraeus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Red pipefish (Festucalex erythraeus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–81.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The red pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a very slender, bony-ringed, reddish body with a long, tubular snout. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among coral, weed and rubble of shallow reefs and sucks in minute crustaceans. The male carries the eggs until they hatch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red pipefish?

The Red pipefish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Red pipefish live?

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

How big does the Red pipefish get?

The Red pipefish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Red pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Red pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rode zeenaald sourced
English name
Red pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Festucalex erythraeus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Red pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
18.0 verified
Max depth (m)
81.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Festucalex

More from the family Syngnathidae

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