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Pipehorse (Amphelikturus dendriticus) — Syngnathidae

Pipehorse

Amphelikturus dendriticus
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pipehorse (Amphelikturus dendriticus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–16.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; seaweed and rubble bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The pipehorse is a syngnathid (Syngnathidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean, built between a seahorse and a pipefish. The species has an elongate body armoured with bony rings, a slightly down-bent head with a tube-shaped snout and a prehensile tail with which it grips algae and rubble. With its snout it sucks up small zooplankton. The male carries the eggs. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pipehorse?

The Pipehorse has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Build between a seahorse and a pipefish, with a prehensile tail; the male carries the eggs.

Where does the Pipehorse live?

The Pipehorse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic; seaweed and rubble bottoms.

How big does the Pipehorse get?

The Pipehorse grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Pipehorse dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Pipehorse edible?

The Pipehorse is not usually eaten.

More photos

Pipehorse (Amphelikturus dendriticus) — Syngnathidae — 2
Smith, David G. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Pipehorse (Amphelikturus dendriticus) — Syngnathidae — 3
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Pipehorse (Amphelikturus dendriticus) — Syngnathidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — kerry_lewis (CC BY 2.5)
Pipehorse (Amphelikturus dendriticus) — Syngnathidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mike Krampf, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Pipehorse verified
Scientific name
Amphelikturus dendriticus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Pipehorse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
16.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; seaweed and rubble bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small 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
Build between a seahorse and a pipefish, with a prehensile tail; the male carries the eggs. 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

More from the family Syngnathidae

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