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Red pipefish (Festucalex erythraeus) — Syngnathidae

Red pipefish

Festucalex erythraeus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Red pipefish (Festucalex erythraeus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18–81 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Solomon Is., Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Maldives, Mozambique and others

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Description

The red pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a very slender, bony-ringed, reddish body with a long, tubular snout. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among coral, weed and rubble of shallow reefs and sucks in minute crustaceans. The male carries the eggs until they hatch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red pipefish?

The Red pipefish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Red pipefish live?

The Red pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Solomon Is., Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Maldives, Mozambique and others

How big does the Red pipefish get?

The Red pipefish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Red pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Red 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.

More photos

Red pipefish (Festucalex erythraeus) — Syngnathidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Red pipefish (Festucalex erythraeus) — Syngnathidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Red pipefish (Festucalex erythraeus) — Syngnathidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Red pipefish (Festucalex erythraeus) — Syngnathidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Unknown authorUnknown author (Public domain)

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All data

Identification

English name
Red pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Festucalex erythraeus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Red pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
18 verified
Max depth (m)
81 verified
Natural range
Asia: Solomon Is., Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Maldives, Mozambique 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 Festucalex

More from the family Syngnathidae

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