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Smooth pipefish (Micrognathus erugatus) — Syngnathidae

Smooth pipefish

Micrognathus erugatus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Smooth pipefish (Micrognathus erugatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The smooth pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow reef, weed and seagrass water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a very slender, armoured, tubular body with a short, tubular snout and a small, toothless mouth. As a calm dweller it shelters among coral rubble, weed and seagrass and sucks up minute crustaceans. As in all pipefishes the male carries the eggs until they hatch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smooth pipefish?

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

Where does the Smooth pipefish live?

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

How big does the Smooth pipefish get?

The Smooth pipefish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Smooth pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Smooth pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gladde rifzeenaald sourced
English name
Smooth pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Micrognathus erugatus
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
8 inferred
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Micrognathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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