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Freshwater Pipefish (Pseudophallus mindii) — Syngnathidae

Freshwater Pipefish

Pseudophallus mindii
Family: Syngnathidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Freshwater Pipefish (Pseudophallus mindii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The opossum pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean and adjacent fresh water. The species has a thin, elongate body armoured with bony rings and a tube-shaped snout. Unlike many relatives it lives largely in fresh water of rivers and streams, and also in estuaries and mangroves. With its snout it sucks up small zooplankton. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freshwater Pipefish?

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

Where does the Freshwater Pipefish live?

The Freshwater Pipefish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Freshwater Pipefish get?

The Freshwater Pipefish grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Freshwater Pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Freshwater Pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Freshwater Pipefish edible?

The Freshwater Pipefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zoetwater-zeenaald sourced
English name
Freshwater Pipefish verified
Scientific name
Pseudophallus mindii
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Pipefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pseudophallus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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