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Javelin pipefish (Lissocampus runa) — Syngnathidae

Javelin pipefish

Lissocampus runa
Family: Syngnathidae

The Javelin pipefish (Lissocampus runa) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The javelin pipefish is a small pipefish (Syngnathidae) from temperate coastal waters of southern Australia and New Zealand. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a very slender, stiff, smooth bony-ringed body and a short, tubular snout. It lives hidden among weed and seagrass of shallow reefs and sucks up small zooplankton. Like other pipefishes the male carries and broods the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Javelin pipefish?

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

Where does the Javelin pipefish live?

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

How big does the Javelin pipefish get?

The Javelin pipefish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Javelin pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Javelin pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Speer-zeenaald sourced
English name
Javelin pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Lissocampus runa
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
West Australian smooth pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.4 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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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