Home · Syngnathidae · Black rock pipefish
Black rock pipefish (Phoxocampus tetrophthalmus) — Syngnathidae

Black rock pipefish

Phoxocampus tetrophthalmus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Black rock pipefish (Phoxocampus tetrophthalmus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The black rock pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow reef and seagrass water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a very slender, dark, armoured body with a tubular snout and a small, terminal mouth. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among coral rubble, weed and crevices and sucks up minute crustaceans. As in all pipefishes the male carries the eggs until they hatch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black rock pipefish?

The Black rock pipefish has a snake-like body and is mainly black.

Where does the Black rock pipefish live?

The Black rock pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Black rock pipefish get?

The Black rock pipefish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Black rock pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Black rock pipefish is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte rifzeenaald sourced
English name
Black rock pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Phoxocampus tetrophthalmus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Trunk-barred pipefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
20.0 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 Phoxocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →