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Sawtooth pipefish (Maroubra perserrata) — Syngnathidae

Sawtooth pipefish

Maroubra perserrata
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sawtooth pipefish (Maroubra perserrata) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The sawtooth pipefish is a small pipefish endemic to the coast of southern and eastern Australia. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, bony-ringed body whose ridges are finely serrated, to which the name refers. As a bottom-dweller it stays hidden among weeds and on rocky reefs and sucks up small plankton with its tubular snout. Like other pipefishes the male carries the eggs until they hatch. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sawtooth pipefish?

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

Where does the Sawtooth pipefish live?

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

How big does the Sawtooth pipefish get?

The Sawtooth pipefish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Sawtooth pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Sawtooth pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Sawtooth pipefish edible?

The Sawtooth pipefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zaagtand-zeenaald verified
English name
Sawtooth pipefish verified
Scientific name
Maroubra perserrata
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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

More from the family Syngnathidae

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