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Pelagic pipefish (Syngnathus pelagicus) — Syngnathidae

Pelagic pipefish

Syngnathus pelagicus
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pelagic pipefish (Syngnathus pelagicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The sargassum pipefish is a small pipefish (family Syngnathidae) of the open Atlantic. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a very elongate, thin and ringed body with a tubular snout with which it sucks up small crustaceans. It lives among floating mats of sargassum weed, where its brown colour provides perfect camouflage. As in all pipefishes the male carries the eggs: the female deposits them in a brood pouch beneath the male's tail, which then incubates and gives birth to the young. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pelagic pipefish?

The Pelagic pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pelagic pipefish live?

The Pelagic pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Pelagic pipefish get?

The Pelagic pipefish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Pelagic pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pelagic pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Pelagic pipefish edible?

The Pelagic pipefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sargassozeenaald sourced
English name
Pelagic pipefish verified
Scientific name
Syngnathus pelagicus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Pelagic pipefish; Sargassum pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.1 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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