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Shortsnout pipefish (Lissocampus filum) — Syngnathidae

Shortsnout pipefish

Lissocampus filum
Family: Syngnathidae

The Shortsnout pipefish (Lissocampus filum) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–6 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: New Zealand

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Description

The shortsnout pipefish is a small pipefish (Syngnathidae) from coastal waters of southern Australia and New Zealand. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a very slender, bony-ringed, brownish body with a conspicuously short snout. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among weed and seagrass of shallow coastal water 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 Shortsnout pipefish?

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

Where does the Shortsnout pipefish live?

The Shortsnout pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: New Zealand

How big does the Shortsnout pipefish get?

The Shortsnout pipefish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Shortsnout pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortsnout 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

Shortsnout pipefish (Lissocampus filum) — Syngnathidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Stephen Thorpe (CC BY 4.0)
Shortsnout pipefish (Lissocampus filum) — Syngnathidae — 3
beaumatthias (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Shortsnout pipefish (Lissocampus filum) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mitch Van Dyke, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Shortsnout pipefish (Lissocampus filum) — Syngnathidae — 5
Zachary Robertson (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist

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All data

Identification

English name
Shortsnout pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Lissocampus filum
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.7 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
6 verified
Natural range
Oceania: New Zealand 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 Lissocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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