Phoxocampus diacanthus (Schultz, 1943)
Spined pipefish
Phoxocampus diacanthus
photo by Wass, R.C.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  8.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 40 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Sri Lanka to Samoa, north to Hong Kong and Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-24. Rings: 15-16+25-28. Description: Characterized by generally whitish color with dark brown bands radiating from eye; side of trunk and tail with about 10 diffuse brown bars, followed by intense white patch; 10 caudal rays; continuous superior and inferior trunk ridges with respective tail ridges; lateral trunk rids end midlaterally on first tail ring or anterior to this point; length of snout 2.2-2.6 in head length; depth of snout 2.4-2.9 in snout length; head length 6.4-7.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs in rock and coral habitats of lagoons and seaward reefs from the surf zone to a depth of 40 m. 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: 18 November 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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