Long-tailed ghost pipefish (Solenostomus armatus)

Latin name

Solenostomus armatus

Other name

Armored ghost pipefish or armored pipefish. 

Identification

Solenostomus: Greek, solen = tube + Greek, stoma = mouth. The species name comes from the Greek armatura, referring to this fish's armor of dermal plates.

Compared to other pipefish species, they have an elongated tail and leg, as indicated by their common name. Long-tailed ghost pipefish have 32-33 vertebrae. The total number of body plates is 33-35. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 22; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 20 - 22. Fish of this species have a long tail stalk and an elongated caudal fin.

Fish colouring

Colouration and colour patterns are highly variable: most individuals are in the dark colour phase with a dark red background covered with reticulated yellow to orange patches; some are in the light colour phase of yellow to beige with a few patches of darker pigment on the body. There are two large black spots between the first and third dorsal fin spines.

Distribution

Widespread in the western Pacific: south-east of the Kyushu Islands, from Japan to the Arafura Sea, Indonesia and Australia; east to Fiji. Also known from China.

Habitat

It is a tropical marine species that inhabits muddy bottoms close to reefs. The depth ranges from 0 to 95 metres.

Size

Males of this species reach a maximum length of 5.7 cm.

Behavior

This species does not migrate.

Food and feeding habits

It feeds on small crustaceans by sucking prey through its long snout.

Reproduction

Females lay eggs in the pelvic fins, which are modified to form a brood pouch.

Fishing

This species is not commercially important.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.