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Halfbanded pipefish (Mitotichthys semistriatus) — Syngnathidae

Halfbanded pipefish

Mitotichthys semistriatus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Halfbanded pipefish (Mitotichthys semistriatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
26.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Halfbanded pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow seagrass, weedy and coral-rubble water around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a very slender, stiff, ring-armoured body with a tubular snout, strongly camouflaged among water plants. As a slow swimmer it sucks up small crustaceans and planktonic animals. The male carries the eggs on his belly or in a pouch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Halfbanded pipefish?

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

Where does the Halfbanded pipefish live?

The Halfbanded pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds.

How big does the Halfbanded pipefish get?

The Halfbanded pipefish grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Halfbanded pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Halfbanded pipefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Halfstreep-zeenaald sourced
English name
Halfbanded pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Mitotichthys semistriatus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Half-banded pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.8 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Mitotichthys

More from the family Syngnathidae

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