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Bay pipefish (Syngnathus leptorhynchus) — Syngnathidae

Bay pipefish

Syngnathus leptorhynchus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Bay pipefish (Syngnathus leptorhynchus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
32.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bay pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from coastal and brackish water of the eastern Pacific, off North America. The species grows to about 33 cm and has a very slender, stiff, bony-ringed, green to brownish body that it camouflages among eelgrass, with a long tubular snout. With this it sucks up small zooplankton. As in other pipefishes the male carries and broods the eggs in a pouch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bay pipefish?

The Bay pipefish has a snake-like body.

Where does the Bay pipefish live?

The Bay pipefish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bay pipefish get?

The Bay pipefish grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Bay pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bay pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bay pipefish edible?

Yes, the Bay pipefish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Baai-zeenaald sourced
English name
Bay pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Syngnathus leptorhynchus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Bay pipefish; Pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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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