Bulbonaricus davaoensis (Herald, 1953)
Davao pughead pipefish

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  4.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Kenya (near Mombasa) and from the Philippines southeastward to Fiji.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-26. Description: Characterized by having whitish or tan color in preservative, unknown live color; absence of anal fin; 10 caudal rays; rings 16 - 17 + 40 - 45; continuous superior and inferior trunk ridges with respective tail ridges; straight lateral trunk ridge, ends near anal ring; snout abbreviated with terminal mouth, pug-nosed appearance (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Planktonic fish taken within upper 200 m over depths of 610 to 7,120 m, whereas metamorphosed demersal examples are from coral habitats in 1.8 to 8 m. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Apparently associates with live corals, including Galaxea fascicularis (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 April 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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