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Insular pipefish (Anarchopterus tectus) — Syngnathidae

Insular pipefish

Anarchopterus tectus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Insular pipefish (Anarchopterus tectus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless

Description

The insular pipefish is a small pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow coastal waters with seagrass and weed of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a very thin, elongate body armoured with bony rings, a brown-greenish colour and a tubular snout. Strongly camouflaged, it hovers among the blades and sucks in small zooplankton. The male carries the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Insular pipefish?

The Insular pipefish has a snake-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Insular pipefish live?

The Insular pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds.

How big does the Insular pipefish get?

The Insular pipefish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Insular pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Insular pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Eiland-zeenaald sourced
English name
Insular pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Anarchopterus tectus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Insular pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Anarchopterus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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