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Blackbreasted pipefish (Corythoichthys nigripectus) — Syngnathidae

Blackbreasted pipefish

Corythoichthys nigripectus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Blackbreasted pipefish (Corythoichthys nigripectus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Blackbreasted pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a very slender body armoured in bony rings with a long, tubular snout. The body bears fine band and dot markings and a dark breast region. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among coral and weed of shallow reefs and sucks in minute crustaceans. The male carries the eggs until they hatch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackbreasted pipefish?

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

Where does the Blackbreasted pipefish live?

The Blackbreasted pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blackbreasted pipefish get?

The Blackbreasted pipefish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Blackbreasted pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackbreasted pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartborst-zeenaald sourced
English name
Blackbreasted pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Corythoichthys nigripectus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Black-breasted pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
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 Corythoichthys

More from the family Syngnathidae

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