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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
Range
Oceania: Australia

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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. Oceania: Australia

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. 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

Knifesnout pipefish (Hypselognathus rostratus) — Syngnathidae — 2
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Knifesnout pipefish (Hypselognathus rostratus) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Michelle Casserley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Knifesnout pipefish (Hypselognathus rostratus) — Syngnathidae — 4
David Spencer Muirhead (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Knifesnout pipefish (Hypselognathus rostratus) — Syngnathidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) David Spencer Muirhead, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

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
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
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 Hypselognathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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