Solenostomus armatus Weber, 1913
Armored pipefish

Family:  Solenostomidae (Ghost pipefishes)
Max. size:  5.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 95 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Southeast of Kyushu Islands, Japan to Arafura Sea, Indonesia and Australia; east tio Fiji. Also known from China.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-22; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 20-22; Vertebrae: 32-33. Total number of body plates is 33-35. Color and color patterns highly variable: most specimens in dark-color phase with dark red background overlaid with reticulated yellow to orange blotches; some in light-color phase of yellow to beige with few spots of darker pigment on body. Two large black spots present between first and third dorsal-fin spines (Ref. 9829). Long caudal peduncle and elongated caudal fin (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by depth of body 15.7-19.0 % SL; least snout depth 3.9-4.3 % SL; depth of caudal peduncle 2.9-3.7 % SL; length of caudal peduncle13.8-17.6 % SL; length of caudal fin 46-52 % SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults occur over muddy bottom. Females carry the eggs in their pelvic fins that are modified to form a brood pouch (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 December 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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