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Bay pipefish (Syngnathus macrobrachium) — Syngnathidae

Bay pipefish

Syngnathus macrobrachium
Family: Syngnathidae

The Bay pipefish (Syngnathus macrobrachium) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
22.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Chile, Peru

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Description

The Bay pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow reef, weed and seagrass water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a very slender, armoured, tubular body with a long, tubular snout and a small, toothless mouth. As a calm dweller it shelters among seagrass, weed and coral and sucks up minute crustaceans. As in all pipefishes the male carries the eggs until they hatch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bay pipefish?

The Bay pipefish has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bay pipefish live?

The Bay pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. South America: Chile, Peru

How big does the Bay pipefish get?

The Bay pipefish grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Bay pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bay pipefish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Bay pipefish (Syngnathus macrobrachium) — Syngnathidae — 2
Ivan F. Gonzalez (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Bay pipefish (Syngnathus macrobrachium) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ivan F. Gonzalez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bay pipefish (Syngnathus macrobrachium) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Brandon Ortiz Arenas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bay pipefish (Syngnathus macrobrachium) — Syngnathidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Brandon Ortiz Arenas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Bay pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Syngnathus macrobrachium
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Beak-shaped

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
South America: Chile, Peru sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Syngnathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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