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Flat-nosed pipefish (Microphis argulus) — Syngnathidae

Flat-nosed pipefish

Microphis argulus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Flat-nosed pipefish (Microphis argulus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0–32.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The flat-nosed pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) that inhabits fresh, brackish and coastal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a very slender, stiff, bony-ringed body and a flattened, tubular snout. With this it sucks up small zooplankton. It lives among water plants and bank roots of rivers and estuaries. Like other pipefishes the male carries and broods the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flat-nosed pipefish?

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

Where does the Flat-nosed pipefish live?

The Flat-nosed pipefish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Flat-nosed pipefish get?

The Flat-nosed pipefish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Flat-nosed pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Flat-nosed pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Platsnuit-rivierzeenaald sourced
English name
Flat-nosed pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Microphis argulus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Flat-nosed pipefish; Flat-nosed pipepfish; Flat-nosed pipepish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
32.0 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 Microphis

More from the family Syngnathidae

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