| Solenostomidae (Ghost pipefishes) |
| 12 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 4 - 35 m |
| Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to southeast Australia and New Caledonia. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797). |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-21; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 17-21; Vertebrae: 32-33. Post-pelagic are almost fully transparent and more slender compared to those established in the benthic phase. Variable in color from black to red and yellow, usually in a mix of bands and spots (Ref. 48635). Total body number of plates 31-35. Caudal fin truncate, rounded or lanceolate. Caudal fins of females modified into brood pouch (Ref. 9829).
Description: Characterized by body depth 13.1-23.4 % SL; least snout depth 2.8-5.6 % SL; depth of caudal peduncle 2.4-5.3 % SL; length of caudal peduncle 9.1-20.2 % SL; length of caudal fin 30.6-41.8 % SL; snout with short skin filaments; body and fins with jagged edges giving spiky appearance (Ref. 90102). |
| Adults usually settle along reef edges in current-prone areas (Ref. 48635). Uncommon species found solitary or paired, among branches of gorgonians, floating weeds, or crinoids (Ref. 9710). They feed mostly on mysids but also target small benthic shrimps (Ref. 48635). Females carry the eggs in their pelvic fins that are modified to form a brood pouch (Ref. 205). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
|
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