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Ribboned pipehorse (Haliichthys taeniophorus) — Syngnathidae

Ribboned pipehorse

Haliichthys taeniophorus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Ribboned pipehorse (Haliichthys taeniophorus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–16.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The ribboned pipehorse is a graceful seadragon relative (Syngnathidae) from shallow coastal waters of northern Australia and New Guinea. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a slender body armoured in bony rings with numerous skin flaps and projections, an excellent camouflage among weed and seagrass. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in vegetated zones and sucks in minute crustaceans. The male carries the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ribboned pipehorse?

The Ribboned pipehorse has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Ribboned pipehorse live?

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

How big does the Ribboned pipehorse get?

The Ribboned pipehorse grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Ribboned pipehorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Ribboned pipehorse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lint-zeedraakje sourced
English name
Ribboned pipehorse sourced
Scientific name
Haliichthys taeniophorus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Ribboned pipefish; Ribboned pipehorse; Ribboned seadragon verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
16.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Syngnathidae

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