Home · Syngnathidae · Ringback pipefish
Ringback pipefish (Stipecampus cristatus) — Syngnathidae

Ringback pipefish

Stipecampus cristatus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Ringback pipefish (Stipecampus cristatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Ringback pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow reef, weed and seagrass water of southern Australia. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a very slender, armoured, tubular body with a long, tubular snout and a small, toothless mouth. As a calm dweller it shelters among seagrass, weed and coral 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 Ringback pipefish?

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

Where does the Ringback pipefish live?

The Ringback pipefish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Ringback pipefish get?

The Ringback pipefish grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Ringback pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Ringback 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
Kam-zeenaald sourced
English name
Ringback pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Stipecampus cristatus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Ringback pipefish; Ring-backed pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

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 →