Syngnathus leptorhynchus Girard, 1854
Bay pipefish
Syngnathus leptorhynchus
photo by Gotshall, D.W.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  32.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); 38.5 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Sitka, Alaska to southern Baja California in Mexico; the northern population ranges from Alaska to Monterey Bay, southern population from Morro Bay southward.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Common in eelgrass of bays and estuaries, sometimes taken in shallow offshore waters (Ref. 5316). Feeds on crustaceans (Ref. 6885). Females larger than males (R.C. de Graaf, pers. Comm., 2001; Ref. 93899). 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: 30 April 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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