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Longsnout pipefish (Leptonotus norae) — Syngnathidae

Longsnout pipefish

Leptonotus norae
Family: Syngnathidae

The Longsnout pipefish (Leptonotus norae) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
21.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
37.0–212.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: New Zealand

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Description

The longsnout pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from coastal waters of New Zealand and southern Australia. The species grows to about 22 cm and has a slender, bony-ringed, brown-grey body with a long, tubular snout. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among weed and seagrass of shallow coastal water 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 Longsnout pipefish?

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

Where does the Longsnout pipefish live?

The Longsnout pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: New Zealand

How big does the Longsnout pipefish get?

The Longsnout pipefish grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Longsnout pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Longsnout 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

Longsnout pipefish (Leptonotus norae) — Syngnathidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Zureks (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Longsnout pipefish (Leptonotus norae) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) judyo1, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longsnout pipefish (Leptonotus norae) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) peterlanglands, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longsnout pipefish (Leptonotus norae) — Syngnathidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) lcolmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Longsnout pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Leptonotus norae
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
21.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
37.0 verified
Max depth (m)
212.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: New Zealand 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Leptonotus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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