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Halicampus mataafae (Jordan & Seale, 1906) Samoan pipefish |
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photo by
Shao, K.T. |
| Family: | Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae | |||
| Max. size: | 14 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range - 15 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa (Ref. 4281), north to Taiwan, south to Queensland, Australia. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-26; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 3-3. Brownish in color, sometimes with irregular diffuse pale bars on dorsum (Ref. 4281). Description: Characterized by having 10 caudal rays; rings 15 + 33 - 36; discontinuous superior trunk and tail ridges; inferior trunk ridge ends at anal ring; lateral trunk ridge confluent with inferior tail ridge; discontinuous median dorsal snout ridge with 2-3 semi-isolated spines or ridge-like crests; with skin flap appendages; length of snout 2.5-4.0 in head length; depth of snout 1.2-2.7 in snout length; head length 10.2-13.0 in SL (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | Collected from reef pool, rock, and coral habitats to a depth of over 15 m. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Solitary, but seldom noticed due to cryptic habits (Ref 90102). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 December 2015 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||