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Pig-snouted pipefish (Choeroichthys suillus) — Syngnathidae

Pig-snouted pipefish

Choeroichthys suillus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Pig-snouted pipefish (Choeroichthys suillus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–14.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The pig-snouted pipefish is a small pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow reef and seagrass water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a thin, bony-ringed, brown-greenish body with a fairly short, upturned snout. Strongly camouflaged, it lives among coral rubble, weed and seagrass and sucks in small zooplankton. The male carries the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pig-snouted pipefish?

The Pig-snouted pipefish has a snake-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Pig-snouted pipefish live?

The Pig-snouted pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Pig-snouted pipefish get?

The Pig-snouted pipefish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Pig-snouted pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pig-snouted 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

Pig-snouted pipefish (Choeroichthys suillus) — Syngnathidae — 2
Western Australian Museum (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pig-snouted pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Choeroichthys suillus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Pigsnout pipefish; Pig-snouted pipefish; Barred short-bodied pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.8 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
14.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia 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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Choeroichthys

More from the family Syngnathidae

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