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Keeled pipefish (Syngnathus carinatus) — Syngnathidae

Keeled pipefish

Syngnathus carinatus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Keeled pipefish (Syngnathus carinatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The keeled pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow coastal waters with seagrass and weed beds. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a very thin, elongate body armoured with bony rings, a tubular snout and a small tail fin. Strongly camouflaged, it hovers among the blades and sucks in small zooplankton and larvae. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch on its tail. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Keeled pipefish?

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

Where does the Keeled pipefish live?

The Keeled pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Keeled pipefish get?

The Keeled pipefish grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Keeled pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Keeled pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gekielde zeenaald sourced
English name
Keeled pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Syngnathus carinatus
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Syngnathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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