Siokunichthys bentuviai Clark, 1966
Barred xenia-pipefish

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  6.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 10 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: El Tur, Sinai Peninsula and Dahlak Archipelago (Ethiopia) in the Red Sea, and in the vicinity of Musha Islands, near Djibouti, in the Gulf of Aden. Also Manado region of northern Sulawesi, Indonesia (Ref. 90102).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-28. Description: Characterized by whitish to light green color with numerous, close-set reddish bars on trunk; broad red-brown band through eye and on side of snout; absence of anal fin; 10 caudal rays; rings 10-12 + 50-53; continuous superior trunk and tail ridges; inferior trunk ridge ends at anal ring; confluent lateral trunk ridge with inferior tail ridge; length of snout 3.7-5.0 in head length; depth of snout 1.0-1.3 in snout length; head length 14.9-16.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs in coral and sandy bottoms and among coral branches from 0 to 9.1 m. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Also found among Xenia soft coral in 1-10 m (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 28 October 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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