Home · Syngnathidae · Medium-snouted pipefish
Medium-snouted pipefish (Vanacampus phillipi) — Syngnathidae

Medium-snouted pipefish

Vanacampus phillipi
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Medium-snouted pipefish (Vanacampus phillipi) is a brackish-water fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18.4 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–24.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Port Phillip pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the temperate coastal waters of southern Australia. The species has a very slender, tube-shaped body with bony rings and a long, tubular snout with which it sucks up small prey. It occurs in rock pools and estuaries, often among vegetation, where its slender shape provides camouflage. Like all pipefishes it has reversed parental care: the male carries the fertilised eggs in a brood pouch under the tail until they hatch. It feeds on small crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Medium-snouted pipefish?

The Medium-snouted pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Medium-snouted pipefish live?

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

How big does the Medium-snouted pipefish get?

The Medium-snouted pipefish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Medium-snouted pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Medium-snouted pipefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Medium-snouted pipefish edible?

The Medium-snouted pipefish is not usually eaten.

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
Port Phillip-zeenaaldvis sourced
English name
Medium-snouted pipefish verified
Scientific name
Vanacampus phillipi
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Port Phillip pipefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
24.0 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
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 Vanacampus

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 →