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Broadnosed pipefish (Syngnathus typhle) — Syngnathidae

Broadnosed pipefish

Syngnathus typhle
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Broadnosed pipefish (Syngnathus typhle) is a brackish-water fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The broadnosed pipefish is a pipefish of the family Syngnathidae, related to the seahorses, reaching about 35 cm. Unlike most pipefishes this species has a strikingly tall, laterally compressed snout almost as deep as the head, which earns it the name 'deep-snouted pipefish'. The snake-like, greenish to brown body is encased in bony rings and blends perfectly among seagrass. The species lives among seagrass and weeds in shallow coastal and brackish water of the North Sea, the Baltic, the north-eastern Atlantic coast and the Mediterranean. With its snout it sucks up small zooplankton and crustaceans. Like other pipefishes the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch under the tail and 'gives birth' to the young.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadnosed pipefish?

The Broadnosed pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Broadnosed pipefish live?

The Broadnosed pipefish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Broadnosed pipefish get?

The Broadnosed pipefish grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Broadnosed pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Broadnosed pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Broadnosed pipefish edible?

The Broadnosed pipefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Trompetterzeenaald inferred
English name
Broadnosed pipefish verified
Scientific name
Syngnathus typhle
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Broad-nosed pipefish; Deep snouted ninefish; Deep-snouted pipefish; High-snouted pipefish; Snouted pipefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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 Syngnathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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