| Family: |
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Nerophinae |
| Max. size: |
14 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 35 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Pacific: Gulf of Thailand to the Solomon Islands, north to the Philippines, south to Queensland; Belau and Truk in Micronesia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-25; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Superior trunk and tail ridges discontinuous; inferior trunk ridge ending on anal ring; lateral trunk ridge continuous with inferior tail ridge; body rings 16; tail rings 21-23.
Description: Characterized by blue head and tail sections; middle portion of body covered by broad area of orange; tail black with white margin and center portion; length of snout 1.5-1.8 in head length; depth of snout 7.6-12.6 in snout length; head length 4.2-5.2 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Found in tide pools and reef crevices. Also found in sheltered inner reefs, usually in caves with sponges and below large plate corals. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Very active cleaner and has cleaning station that is visited by apogonids and damsels where adults work in pairs (Ref. 48635). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018. Solitary or in pairs (Ref 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 June 2016 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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