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Tiger pipefish (Filicampus tigris) — Syngnathidae

Tiger pipefish

Filicampus tigris
Family: Syngnathidae

The Tiger pipefish (Filicampus tigris) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
29.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–27.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The tiger pipefish is a large pipefish (Syngnathidae) from coastal waters of Australia. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a slender, bony-ringed, brown-grey body with fine markings and a long, tubular snout. As a bottom-dweller it shelters over sand and weed bottoms and sucks in minute crustaceans. The male carries the eggs until they hatch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tiger pipefish?

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

Where does the Tiger pipefish live?

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

How big does the Tiger pipefish get?

The Tiger pipefish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Tiger pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Tiger 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

Tiger pipefish (Filicampus tigris) — Syngnathidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Tiger pipefish (Filicampus tigris) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Glen Whisson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Tiger pipefish (Filicampus tigris) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Gina, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Tiger pipefish (Filicampus tigris) — Syngnathidae — 5
Gina (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Tiger pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Filicampus tigris
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Tiger pipefish; Tentacled pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.6 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
27.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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

More from the family Syngnathidae

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