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Manyspotted pipefish (Corythoichthys polynotatus) — Syngnathidae

Manyspotted pipefish

Corythoichthys polynotatus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Manyspotted pipefish (Corythoichthys polynotatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–5 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Palau, Philippines

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Description

The Manyspotted pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a very slender body armoured in bony rings with a long, tubular snout. The body is densely scattered with numerous small dark and light spots. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among coral and weed of shallow reefs 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 Manyspotted pipefish?

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

Where does the Manyspotted pipefish live?

The Manyspotted pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Indonesia, Palau, Philippines

How big does the Manyspotted pipefish get?

The Manyspotted pipefish grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Manyspotted pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Manyspotted pipefish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Manyspotted pipefish (Corythoichthys polynotatus) — Syngnathidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Manyspotted pipefish (Corythoichthys polynotatus) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ditch Townsend, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Manyspotted pipefish (Corythoichthys polynotatus) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Benoît Segerer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Manyspotted pipefish (Corythoichthys polynotatus) — Syngnathidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Manyspotted pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Corythoichthys polynotatus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Many-spotted pipefish; Yellow-spotted pipefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
5 verified
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Palau, Philippines sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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