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Tidepool pipefish (Micrognathus micronotopterus) — Syngnathidae

Tidepool pipefish

Micrognathus micronotopterus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Tidepool pipefish (Micrognathus micronotopterus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–6.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Philippines, Singapore

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Description

The Tidepool pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow seagrass, weedy and coral-rubble water around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a very slender, stiff, ring-armoured body with a tubular snout, strongly camouflaged among water plants. As a slow swimmer it sucks up small crustaceans and planktonic animals. The male carries the eggs on his belly or in a pouch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tidepool pipefish?

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

Where does the Tidepool pipefish live?

The Tidepool pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds. Asia: Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Philippines, Singapore

How big does the Tidepool pipefish get?

The Tidepool pipefish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Tidepool pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Tidepool 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

Tidepool pipefish (Micrognathus micronotopterus) — Syngnathidae — 2
Glen Whisson (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Tidepool pipefish (Micrognathus micronotopterus) — Syngnathidae — 3
Western Australian Museum (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Tidepool pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Micrognathus micronotopterus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Tidepool pipefish; White-saddled pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.7 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Philippines, Singapore 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 Micrognathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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