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Brushtail pipefish (Leptoichthys fistularius) — Syngnathidae

Brushtail pipefish

Leptoichthys fistularius
Family: Syngnathidae

The Brushtail pipefish (Leptoichthys fistularius) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 63 cm.

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

Description

The brushtail pipefish is the largest pipefish (Syngnathidae) in the world, from coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 63 cm and has a very slender, bony-ringed, brown-green body with a long, tubular snout. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among dense seagrass meadows and weed 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 Brushtail pipefish?

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

Where does the Brushtail pipefish live?

The Brushtail pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Brushtail pipefish get?

The Brushtail pipefish grows to a maximum of about 63 cm.

Is the Brushtail pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brushtail pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Borstelstaart-zeenaald sourced
English name
Brushtail pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Leptoichthys fistularius
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Brush-tailed pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
63.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater 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
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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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