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Knifesnout pipefish (Hypselognathus rostratus) — Syngnathidae

Knifesnout pipefish

Hypselognathus rostratus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Knifesnout pipefish (Hypselognathus rostratus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
30.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless

Description

The knifesnout pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from coastal waters with seagrass and weed of southern Australia. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a very thin, bony-ringed, brown-greenish body with a strikingly long, laterally compressed, knife-like snout. Strongly camouflaged, it hovers among the blades and sucks in small zooplankton. The male carries the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Knifesnout pipefish?

The Knifesnout pipefish has a snake-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Knifesnout pipefish live?

The Knifesnout pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds.

How big does the Knifesnout pipefish get?

The Knifesnout pipefish grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Knifesnout pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Knifesnout pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mes-snuit-zeenaald sourced
English name
Knifesnout pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Hypselognathus rostratus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Knife-snouted pipefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Hypselognathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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