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Obscure pipefish (Phoxocampus diacanthus) — Syngnathidae

Obscure pipefish

Phoxocampus diacanthus
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Obscure pipefish (Phoxocampus diacanthus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The doubled-spined pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a thin, elongate, dark body armoured with bony rings and a tube-shaped snout. It lives concealed among rock and coral of lagoon and seaward reefs, from the surf zone to about forty metres depth. With its snout it sucks up small zooplankton. The male carries the eggs until they hatch. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Obscure pipefish?

The Obscure pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Obscure pipefish live?

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

How big does the Obscure pipefish get?

The Obscure pipefish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Obscure pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Obscure pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Obscure pipefish edible?

The Obscure pipefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dubbeldoorn-zeenaald sourced
English name
Obscure pipefish verified
Scientific name
Phoxocampus diacanthus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Paleblotched pipefish; Pale-blotched pipefish; Spined pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.7 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 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 Phoxocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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