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Shortsnout pipefish (Lissocampus filum) — Syngnathidae

Shortsnout pipefish

Lissocampus filum
Family: Syngnathidae

The Shortsnout pipefish (Lissocampus filum) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–6.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The shortsnout pipefish is a small pipefish (Syngnathidae) from coastal waters of southern Australia and New Zealand. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a very slender, bony-ringed, brownish body with a conspicuously short snout. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among weed and seagrass of shallow coastal water 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 Shortsnout pipefish?

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

Where does the Shortsnout pipefish live?

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

How big does the Shortsnout pipefish get?

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

Is the Shortsnout pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortsnout pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kortsnuit-zeenaald sourced
English name
Shortsnout pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Lissocampus filum
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.7 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
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 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 Lissocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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