Teleostei (teleosts) >
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and seahorses) >
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) > Syngnathinae
Etymology: Pseudophallus: Greek, pseudes = false + Greek, phallus = phallus (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Edwin Chapin Starks (1867–1932) was an American ichthyologist who was an authority on the osteology of fish. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on authors: Jordan & Culver.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 25°C - 30°C (Ref. 36880)
Central and South America: Baja California Sur and Sinaloa, Mexico to Santa Rosa, Ecuador.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 17.6 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5316)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Occurs in rivers, streams or upper reaches of estuaries. Maximum upstream elevation of 61 m. Most common in depths less than 3 m. One specimen reported from a presumably marine habitat. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch (Ref. 205).
Dawson, C.E., 1985. Indo-Pacific pipefishes (Red Sea to the Americas). The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Ocean Springs, Mississippi, USA. (Ref. 5316)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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