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Paxton's pipefish (Corythoichthys paxtoni) — Syngnathidae

Paxton's pipefish

Corythoichthys paxtoni
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Paxton's pipefish (Corythoichthys paxtoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–18.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Paxton's pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the western Pacific. The species has a thin, elongate body armoured with bony rings, a tube-shaped snout and a fine brown-white banded pattern that lets it blend into the reef. It lives on coral reefs and creeps among coral and growth, where with its snout it sucks up small zooplankton. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch under the tail. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Paxton's pipefish?

The Paxton's pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Paxton's pipefish live?

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

How big does the Paxton's pipefish get?

The Paxton's pipefish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Paxton's pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Paxton's pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Paxton's pipefish edible?

The Paxton's pipefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Paxtons zeenaald sourced
English name
Paxton's pipefish verified
Scientific name
Corythoichthys paxtoni
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Paxton's pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.4 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
18.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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