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Spotted pipefish (Halicampus punctatus) — Syngnathidae

Spotted pipefish

Halicampus punctatus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Spotted pipefish (Halicampus punctatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Japan

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Description

The Spotted 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 Spotted pipefish?

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

Where does the Spotted pipefish live?

The Spotted pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds. Asia: Japan

How big does the Spotted pipefish get?

The Spotted pipefish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Spotted pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted 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

Spotted pipefish (Halicampus punctatus) — Syngnathidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotted pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Halicampus punctatus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Starry pipefish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 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
Natural range
Asia: Japan 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
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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

More from the family Syngnathidae

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