Haliichthys taeniophorus Gray, 1859
Ribboned pipefish
Haliichthys taeniophorus
photo by DeCloux, R.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 16 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Indonesian waters around Irian Jaya (northern coast and Tanamerah Bay) and Australian waters from Shark Bay, western Australia to the Torres Straits in northern Queensland.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-27; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Description: Characterized by body color of shades of brown, green and yellow; presence of caudal fin in juvenile (less than 6-7cm), absent in adults; rings 18 - 20 + 43 - 47; discontinuous superior trunk and tail ridges; inferior trunk ridge ends at anal ring; lateral trunk ridge confluent with inferior tail ridge; head and body with branched weed-like appendages, prominent in large adults; length of snout 3.1-3.8 in head length; depth of snout 1.7-2.1 in snout length; head length 10.0-11.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 May 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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