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Yellowbanded pipefish (Dunckerocampus pessuliferus) — Syngnathidae

Yellowbanded pipefish

Dunckerocampus pessuliferus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Yellowbanded pipefish (Dunckerocampus pessuliferus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–44.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Wallis Futuna

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Description

The yellowbanded pipefish is a graceful pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a very slender body armoured in bony rings with alternating red and yellow crossbands and a conspicuous red, white-spotted tail flag. As a bottom-dweller it shelters around coral reefs and sometimes acts as a cleaner. It sucks in minute crustaceans; the male carries the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowbanded pipefish?

The Yellowbanded pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Yellowbanded pipefish live?

The Yellowbanded pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Wallis Futuna

How big does the Yellowbanded pipefish get?

The Yellowbanded pipefish grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Yellowbanded pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowbanded 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

Yellowbanded pipefish (Dunckerocampus pessuliferus) — Syngnathidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — opencage (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Yellowbanded pipefish (Dunckerocampus pessuliferus) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ania Kossowska, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellowbanded pipefish (Dunckerocampus pessuliferus) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) xufeng xia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellowbanded pipefish (Dunckerocampus pessuliferus) — Syngnathidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Elias Levy (CC BY 2.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Yellowbanded pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Dunckerocampus pessuliferus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Yellowbanded pipefish; Yellowbar pipefish; Yellow banded pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
44.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Wallis Futuna 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

Same genus Dunckerocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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