| Family: |
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae |
| Max. size: |
16.2 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 35 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: southern Australia and New Zealand. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 35-47; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Body slender and snout elongate, continuous superior and inferior trunk and tail ridges, a dorsal fin which originates on trunk rings 5-9, and an extremely slender tail without a caudal fin. The trunk is broad in females and the brood pouch in males is on the underside of the tail immediately behind the anal fin. No caudal fin. Body rings: 16-19 + 67-79. |
| Biology: |
Occur in bays, estuaries and shallow coastal waters. Occurs among seagrass and algae (Ref. 31838). Occasionally found in floating seaweed (Ref. 31838). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Males may be brooding at 6.5-7 cm TL. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 January 2016 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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