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Crested pipefish (Cosmocampus brachycephalus) — Syngnathidae

Crested pipefish

Cosmocampus brachycephalus
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Crested pipefish (Cosmocampus brachycephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The crested pipefish is a small pipefish of the family Syngnathidae from the western Atlantic. The species has an elongate, eel-like body with bony rings and a tubular snout, and reaches about 10 cm. It inhabits shallow coastal waters among vegetation, where it sucks up small crustaceans with its snout. As in all pipefishes the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch under the tail and 'gives birth' to the young. Because of its small size and secretive habits the species has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crested pipefish?

The Crested pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Crested pipefish live?

The Crested pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Crested pipefish get?

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

Is the Crested pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Crested pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Crested pipefish edible?

The Crested pipefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kuif-zeenaald sourced
English name
Crested pipefish verified
Scientific name
Cosmocampus brachycephalus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Crested Pipefish; Crested pipefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No 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 Cosmocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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