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Spinysnout pipefish (Halicampus spinirostris) — Syngnathidae

Spinysnout pipefish

Halicampus spinirostris
Family: Syngnathidae

The Spinysnout pipefish (Halicampus spinirostris) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
4.0–26.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Marshall Is. and others

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Description

The Spinysnout pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow reef and seagrass water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a thin, bony-ringed, brown-greenish body with skin appendages and a tubular snout. Strongly camouflaged, it lives among coral rubble, weed and seagrass and sucks in small zooplankton. The male carries the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spinysnout pipefish?

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

Where does the Spinysnout pipefish live?

The Spinysnout pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Marshall Is. and others

How big does the Spinysnout pipefish get?

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

Is the Spinysnout pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spinysnout pipefish 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

Spinysnout pipefish (Halicampus spinirostris) — Syngnathidae — 2
R. Mooi, University of Manitoba (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Spinysnout pipefish (Halicampus spinirostris) — Syngnathidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
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All data

Identification

English name
Spinysnout pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Halicampus spinirostris
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Spinysnout pipefish; Spiny-snout pipefish; Spiny snout pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like 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)
4.0 verified
Max depth (m)
26.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Marshall Is. and others 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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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

Same genus Halicampus

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Fin

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