Home · Syngnathidae · Anderson's pipefish
Anderson's pipefish (Micrognathus andersonii) — Syngnathidae

Anderson's pipefish

Micrognathus andersonii
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Anderson's pipefish (Micrognathus andersonii) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Anderson's pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate body armoured with bony rings, a short, tube-shaped snout and a mottled pattern. It inhabits tide pools, reef flats and shallow sand flats among algae or seagrass to a few metres depth. With its snout it sucks up small crustaceans and other zooplankton. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Anderson's pipefish?

The Anderson's pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Anderson's pipefish live?

The Anderson's pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Anderson's pipefish get?

The Anderson's pipefish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Anderson's pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Anderson's pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Anderson's pipefish edible?

The Anderson's pipefish is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Andersons zeenaald sourced
English name
Anderson's pipefish verified
Scientific name
Micrognathus andersonii
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Anderson's pipefish; Anderson's short-nosed pipefish; Shortnose pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Micrognathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →