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Sculpted pipefish (Choeroichthys sculptus) — Syngnathidae

Sculpted pipefish

Choeroichthys sculptus
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sculpted pipefish (Choeroichthys sculptus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–6.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; intertidal reef flats and seagrass beds.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The sculptured pipefish is a small pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a slender, bony-ringed armoured body that has a ridged, 'sculptured' look from projecting edges, and a tubular snout. It inhabits intertidal reef flats and seagrass beds to a few metres deep. With its tubular snout it sucks up small zooplankton and small crustaceans. Like all pipefishes the male carries the eggs. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sculpted pipefish?

The Sculpted pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Ribbed, 'sculpted' armoured body; the male carries the eggs.

Where does the Sculpted pipefish live?

The Sculpted pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; intertidal reef flats and seagrass beds.

How big does the Sculpted pipefish get?

The Sculpted pipefish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Sculpted pipefish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Sculpted pipefish edible?

The Sculpted pipefish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Sculpted pipefish (Choeroichthys sculptus) — Syngnathidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Sculpted pipefish (Choeroichthys sculptus) — Syngnathidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Sculpted pipefish (Choeroichthys sculptus) — Syngnathidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Unknown authorUnknown author (Public domain)
Sculpted pipefish (Choeroichthys sculptus) — Syngnathidae — 5
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
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All data

Identification

English name
Sculpted pipefish verified
Scientific name
Choeroichthys sculptus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Sculptured pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; intertidal reef flats and seagrass beds. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small crustaceans 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
Ribbed, 'sculpted' armoured body; 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

Same genus Choeroichthys

More from the family Syngnathidae

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