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Halimeda ghost pipefish (Solenostomus halimeda) — Solenostomidae

Halimeda ghost pipefish

Solenostomus halimeda
Family: Solenostomidae

The Halimeda ghost pipefish (Solenostomus halimeda) is a saltwater fish of the family Solenostomidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–23.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Maldives, Micronesia, Marshall Is., Papua New Guinea

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Description

The Halimeda ghost pipefish is a ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a flattened, angular body with large, transparent fins and a tubular snout; in colour and shape it stunningly mimics the calcareous alga Halimeda, hanging almost invisible among its segments. Head down, it sucks up small zooplankton and crustaceans. The female broods the eggs in a pouch formed from her pelvic fins. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Halimeda ghost pipefish?

The Halimeda ghost pipefish has an irregular in shape body and is mainly green.

Where does the Halimeda ghost pipefish live?

The Halimeda ghost pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Maldives, Micronesia, Marshall Is., Papua New Guinea

How big does the Halimeda ghost pipefish get?

The Halimeda ghost pipefish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Halimeda ghost pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Halimeda ghost 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.

More photos

Halimeda ghost pipefish (Solenostomus halimeda) — Solenostomidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) evolution_dive_resort, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Halimeda ghost pipefish (Solenostomus halimeda) — Solenostomidae — 3
Pieter Van den Abeele (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Halimeda ghost pipefish (Solenostomus halimeda) — Solenostomidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Silke Baron (CC BY 2.0)
Halimeda ghost pipefish (Solenostomus halimeda) — Solenostomidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Albert Kang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Halimeda ghost pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Solenostomus halimeda
Family
Solenostomidae
Other names
Halimeda ghostpipefish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
6 sourced
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
23.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Maldives, Micronesia, Marshall Is., Papua New Guinea sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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 Solenostomus

Armoured ghostpipefish (Solenostomus armatus) — Solenostomidae
Armoured ghostpipefish
Solenostomus armatus
Solenostomidae
 Robust ghost pipefish (Solenostomus cyanopterus) — Solenostomidae
Robust ghost pipefish
Solenostomus cyanopterus
Solenostomidae
 Ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) — Solenostomidae
Ghost pipefish
Solenostomus paradoxus
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More from the family Solenostomidae

Armoured ghostpipefish (Solenostomus armatus) — Solenostomidae
Armoured ghostpipefish
Solenostomus armatus
Solenostomidae
 Robust ghost pipefish (Solenostomus cyanopterus) — Solenostomidae
Robust ghost pipefish
Solenostomus cyanopterus
Solenostomidae
 Ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) — Solenostomidae
Ghost pipefish
Solenostomus paradoxus
Solenostomidae
Fin

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