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Armoured ghostpipefish (Solenostomus armatus) — Solenostomidae

Armoured ghostpipefish

Solenostomus armatus

The Armoured ghostpipefish (Solenostomus armatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Solenostomidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–95.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless

Description

The armoured ghostpipefish is a ghostpipefish (Solenostomidae) from shallow seagrass, weedy and coral-rubble water around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a laterally compressed body with bony platelets and skin appendages and a tubular snout, strongly camouflaged as a drifting plant part. It sucks up small crustaceans. Unlike pipefishes the female carries the eggs in a pouch of pelvic fins. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Armoured ghostpipefish?

The Armoured ghostpipefish has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Armoured ghostpipefish live?

The Armoured ghostpipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds.

How big does the Armoured ghostpipefish get?

The Armoured ghostpipefish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Armoured ghostpipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Armoured ghostpipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gepantserde geestpijpvis sourced
English name
Armoured ghostpipefish sourced
Scientific name
Solenostomus armatus
Family
Solenostomidae
Other names
Longtail ghostpipefish; Long-tail ghostpipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.7 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
95.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Solenostomus

More from the family Solenostomidae

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