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Caribbean Pipefish (Syngnathus caribbaeus) — Syngnathidae

Caribbean Pipefish

Syngnathus caribbaeus
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Caribbean Pipefish (Syngnathus caribbaeus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
22.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–6.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Caribbean pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has a very elongate, slender body armoured with bony rings, a tube-shaped snout and a small mouth. It inhabits weedy or sandy bottoms of shallow coastal waters, where it hovers among seagrass and algae. With its snout it sucks up small crustaceans and other zooplankton. As in seahorses the male carries the eggs in a pouch. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Caribbean Pipefish?

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

Where does the Caribbean Pipefish live?

The Caribbean Pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Caribbean Pipefish get?

The Caribbean Pipefish grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Caribbean Pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Caribbean Pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Caribbean Pipefish edible?

The Caribbean Pipefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Caribische zeenaald sourced
English name
Caribbean Pipefish verified
Scientific name
Syngnathus caribbaeus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Caribbean pipefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 verified
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
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Syngnathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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