Hippichthys penicillus

(Cantor, 1849)

Vernacular names
English : Beady pipefish
French : Syngnathe-rasoir à taches blanches

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Syngnathiformes
Family : Syngnathidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Elongated but short snout with upturned mouth. Face clear with dark mottling and brown temporal band. Olive-beige to light brown body with numerous white spots. Very small caudal fin.

Range and habitat
Indo-Pacific, from Persian gulf to north and central Indian Ocean, north to south Japan, south to north Australia. Found in mangroves, tidal creeks, estuaries and lower reaches of rivers.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species’ true status in the wild needs to be re-studied. It likely faces threats such as loss of habitat, pollution, disturbances due to human activities and, locally, catching for the trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Seahorses and relatives” page