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Freshwater pipefish (Ichthyocampus carce) — Syngnathidae

Freshwater pipefish

Ichthyocampus carce
Family: Syngnathidae

The Freshwater pipefish (Ichthyocampus carce) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The freshwater pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) that inhabits fresh, brackish and coastal water of South and Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a very slender, stiff, bony-ringed body and a short, tubular snout with which it sucks up small zooplankton. It lives among water plants and bank roots of rivers, ditches and estuaries. Like other pipefishes the male carries and broods the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freshwater pipefish?

The Freshwater pipefish has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Freshwater pipefish live?

The Freshwater pipefish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Freshwater pipefish get?

The Freshwater pipefish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Freshwater pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Freshwater pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zoetwater-zeenaald sourced
English name
Freshwater pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Ichthyocampus carce
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Freshwater pipefish; Pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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

More from the family Syngnathidae

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