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Snubnose pipefish (Cosmocampus arctus) — Syngnathidae

Snubnose pipefish

Cosmocampus arctus
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Snubnose pipefish (Cosmocampus arctus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; seagrass and weed bottoms of bays and reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The snubnose pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate body armoured with bony rings and a short, fairly blunt snout. It lives in bays and reef areas among seagrass and algae, and is sometimes found in open water. With its snout it sucks up small crustaceans and other zooplankton. As in seahorses the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Snubnose pipefish?

The Snubnose pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Short, blunt snout; armoured pipefish whose male carries the eggs in a brood pouch.

Where does the Snubnose pipefish live?

The Snubnose pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; seagrass and weed bottoms of bays and reefs.

How big does the Snubnose pipefish get?

The Snubnose pipefish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Snubnose pipefish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Snubnose pipefish edible?

The Snubnose pipefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Snubnose pipefish verified
Scientific name
Cosmocampus arctus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Snubnose pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; seagrass and weed bottoms of bays and reefs. 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
Short, blunt snout; armoured pipefish whose male carries the eggs in a brood pouch. 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 Cosmocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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