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Ocellated pipefish (Corythoichthys ocellatus) — Syngnathidae

Ocellated pipefish

Corythoichthys ocellatus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Ocellated pipefish (Corythoichthys ocellatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–12.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Ocellated pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a very slender body armoured in bony rings with a long, tubular snout. The body bears a few eyespots and fine crossbars. 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 Ocellated pipefish?

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

Where does the Ocellated pipefish live?

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

How big does the Ocellated pipefish get?

The Ocellated pipefish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Ocellated pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Ocellated pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oogvlek-zeenaald sourced
English name
Ocellated pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Corythoichthys ocellatus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Ocellated pipefish; Orange-spotted pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.3 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
12.0 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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