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Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and seahorses) >
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) > Syngnathinae
Etymology: Enneacampus: Greek, ennea = nine times + Greek, kampe = curvature (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Johann Jakob von Kaup (1803–1873) was a German zoologist and palaeontologist who became the Director of the Grand Duke’s natural history ‘cabinet’ in Darmstadt. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Bleeker.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 10 - 13 m. Tropical
Africa: Guinea (Ref. 28587, 57226, 81680) to the Congo River estuary, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 81680, 86940). Also reported from coastal Angola (Ref. 120641). Records of a specimen from marine waters off Punta Durnford are questionable.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 16.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 81680)
Occurs in coastal rivers and estuaries (Ref. 4127). Seems to be mainly a brackish water species, only occasionally entering fresh water (Ref. 81680). Has been recorded in waters with a temperature range of 26.0-29.0 °C (Ref. 4959). Lives among algae where it mimics the coloration of the vegetation. Feeds on small prey and organic debris. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The incubation of the eggs takes place in a marsupial pouch found in front of the tail of the males (Ref. 5377). Dawson (1981) reported over 800 postlarvae in a male of 141 mm SL (Ref. 81680). Maximum reported total length 20.0 cm (Ref. 5377).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch (Ref. 205).
Dawson, C.E., 1986. Syngnathidae. p. 281-287. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 4127)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquarium: commercial
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