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Pacific short-bodied pipefish (Choeroichthys brachysoma) — Syngnathidae

Pacific short-bodied pipefish

Choeroichthys brachysoma
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pacific short-bodied pipefish (Choeroichthys brachysoma) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; tide pools, seagrass and coral reef areas.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The short-bodied pipefish is a small pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species has a relatively short, stocky body armoured with bony rings and a tubular snout with which it sucks up small prey. It occurs on the continental shelf in tide pools, seagrass beds and coral reef areas. Like all pipefishes it has reversed parental care: the male carries the fertilised eggs in a brood pouch until they hatch. It feeds on small crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific short-bodied pipefish?

The Pacific short-bodied pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Short, stocky armoured body; the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch.

Where does the Pacific short-bodied pipefish live?

The Pacific short-bodied pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; tide pools, seagrass and coral reef areas.

How big does the Pacific short-bodied pipefish get?

The Pacific short-bodied pipefish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Pacific short-bodied pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacific short-bodied pipefish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Pacific short-bodied pipefish edible?

The Pacific short-bodied pipefish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Pacific short-bodied pipefish (Choeroichthys brachysoma) — Syngnathidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Pacific short-bodied pipefish (Choeroichthys brachysoma) — Syngnathidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Pacific short-bodied pipefish (Choeroichthys brachysoma) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pacific short-bodied pipefish (Choeroichthys brachysoma) — Syngnathidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pacific short-bodied pipefish verified
Scientific name
Choeroichthys brachysoma
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Pacific shortbody pipefish; Pipefish; Shortbodied pipefish; Short-bodied pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; tide pools, seagrass and coral reef areas. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans (zooplankton) sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Short, stocky armoured body; the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Choeroichthys

More from the family Syngnathidae

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