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Pacific freshwater pipefish (Pseudophallus elcapitanensis) — Syngnathidae

Pacific freshwater pipefish

Pseudophallus elcapitanensis
Family: Syngnathidae

The Pacific freshwater pipefish (Pseudophallus elcapitanensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
18.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Pacific freshwater pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from planted streams, rivers and estuaries of the eastern Pacific around Central America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a very slender, stiff, ring-armoured, brown-green body with a tubular snout, strongly camouflaged among water plants. As a slow swimmer it sucks up small crustaceans. The male carries the eggs in a pouch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific freshwater pipefish?

The Pacific freshwater pipefish has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Pacific freshwater pipefish live?

The Pacific freshwater pipefish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds.

How big does the Pacific freshwater pipefish get?

The Pacific freshwater pipefish grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Pacific freshwater pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacific freshwater pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Panama-zoetwaterzeenaald sourced
English name
Pacific freshwater pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Pseudophallus elcapitanensis
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Pipefish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pseudophallus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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