| Family: |
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Nerophinae |
| Max. size: |
7 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific: Persian Gulf and East Africa to the west coast of the Americas. It was noted by Dawson (Ref. 5316) that there is a clinal increase in the number of total rings and dorsal rays for the 3 subspecies (Red Sea, D. e. abbreviatus and Eastern Pacific D. e. paulus (Ref. 86689). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-29; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Superior trunk and tail ridges discontinuous; inferior trunk ridge ending on anal ring; lateral trunk ridge continuous with inferior tail ridge; body rings 17-19; tail rings 13-17. Also Ref. 4281. |
| Biology: |
Uncommon, cryptic species (Ref. 5227), prefers crevices in rocks and corals and areas beneath ledges (Ref. 28023). Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of 45 m or more (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Often seen in pairs. Uses its tubelike snout to ingest small crustaceans and plankton (Ref. 28023). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 August 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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