Urocampus carinirostris Castelnau, 1872
Hairy pipefish
photo by Good, P.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  10 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 2-2. Small and slender, and have a short, thick snout, continuous superior trunk and tail ridges, small pectoral fins, and a dorsal fin that originates on tail rings 5-9. Body usually has numerous hair-like appendages which provide camouflage.
Biology:  Inhabit lower reaches of rivers, estuaries or other protected inshore habitats (Ref. 5316). Found mostly in algal or Zostera beds (Ref. 5316), rarely at depths of more than a few meters (Ref. 31838). 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: 15 December 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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