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Pipefish (Syngnathus folletti) — Syngnathidae

Pipefish

Syngnathus folletti
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pipefish (Syngnathus folletti) is a brackish-water fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15.4 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southwest Atlantic; estuaries and seaweed and rocky bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Follett's pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. The species has a very elongate, slender body armoured with bony rings and a tube-shaped snout. It inhabits estuaries and algal and rock bottoms of shallow coastal waters, where it hovers among vegetation. 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 Pipefish?

The Pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Armoured pipefish of estuaries; the male broods the eggs in a brood pouch.

Where does the Pipefish live?

The Pipefish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southwest Atlantic; estuaries and seaweed and rocky bottoms.

How big does the Pipefish get?

The Pipefish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 9 cm.

Is the Pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pipefish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Pipefish edible?

The Pipefish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Pipefish (Syngnathus folletti) — Syngnathidae — 2
ignaciocostagliola (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Pipefish (Syngnathus folletti) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) inzaenity, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Syngnathus folletti
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.4 verified
Average length (cm)
9.2 sourced
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Southwest Atlantic; estuaries and seaweed and rocky bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and other 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
Armoured pipefish of estuaries; the male broods the eggs in a brood pouch. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Syngnathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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