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Ribboned pipehorse (Haliichthys taeniophorus) — Syngnathidae

Ribboned pipehorse

Haliichthys taeniophorus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Ribboned pipehorse (Haliichthys taeniophorus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–16.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea

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Description

The ribboned pipehorse is a graceful seadragon relative (Syngnathidae) from shallow coastal waters of northern Australia and New Guinea. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a slender body armoured in bony rings with numerous skin flaps and projections, an excellent camouflage among weed and seagrass. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in vegetated zones and sucks in minute crustaceans. The male carries the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ribboned pipehorse?

The Ribboned pipehorse has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Ribboned pipehorse live?

The Ribboned pipehorse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea

How big does the Ribboned pipehorse get?

The Ribboned pipehorse grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Ribboned pipehorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Ribboned pipehorse 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

Ribboned pipehorse (Haliichthys taeniophorus) — Syngnathidae — 2
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Ribboned pipehorse (Haliichthys taeniophorus) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) alioops, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ribboned pipehorse (Haliichthys taeniophorus) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Kristin Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ribboned pipehorse (Haliichthys taeniophorus) — Syngnathidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Michael K. Oliver, Ph.D. (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ribboned pipehorse sourced
Scientific name
Haliichthys taeniophorus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Ribboned pipefish; Ribboned pipehorse; Ribboned seadragon verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
16.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea 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
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 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

More from the family Syngnathidae

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