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Painted pipefish (Nannocampus pictus) — Syngnathidae

Painted pipefish

Nannocampus pictus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Painted pipefish (Nannocampus pictus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–9 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Australia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Reunion I. and others

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Description

The Painted pipefish is a small pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow reef and seagrass water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a thin, bony-ringed, brown-greenish body and a tubular snout. Strongly camouflaged, it lives among coral rubble, weed and seagrass and sucks in small zooplankton. The male carries the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Painted pipefish?

The Painted pipefish has a snake-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Painted pipefish live?

The Painted pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds. Africa: Australia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Reunion I. and others

How big does the Painted pipefish get?

The Painted pipefish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Painted pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Painted 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Painted pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Nannocampus pictus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Reef pipefish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow sourced
Max depth (m)
9 verified
Natural range
Africa: Australia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Reunion I. and others 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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
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 Nannocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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