Halicampus nitidus (Günther, 1873)
Glittering pipefish
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  7.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Viet Nam to Fiji, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Rowley Shoals and New Caledonia; Belau in Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-22; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 3-3. Superior trunk and tail ridges discontinuous; inferior trunk ridge ending at anal ring; lateral trunk ridge continuous with inferior tail ridge; body rings 13-15 + 30-32. Description: Characterized by greyish brown color with irregular and narrow white bars corresponding with rings; 10 caudal rays; discontinuous median dorsal snout ridge with 1-3 semi-isolated spines or crests; head and body with skin flap appendages; length of snout 2.9-3.7 in head length; depth of snout 2.0-2.6 in snout length; head length 8.2-10.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults inhabit reef flats to a depth of over 17 m. Easily recognized by color but secretive and not often seen (Ref. 48635). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Also seen in coral reefs in 1-20 m (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 30 May 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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