Hippichthys spicifer (Rüppell, 1838)
Bellybarred pipefish
Hippichthys spicifer
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  18 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; pH range: 7.5 - 8.19999980926514; dH range: 20 - 30; depth range 0 - 3 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Sri Lanka and Samoa (Ref. 4127). Recorded upstream in freshwater of the Mekong, but this record may represent another species of this genus or another genus among the 15 genera of pipefishes expected in Mekong estuary and plume (Ref. 12693).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-30. Brownish, mottled or with prominent dark bars crossing lower half of side and venter of trunk; bars absent or obscured by dark ground color in some adults; dorsal rays without rows of distinct brown spots (Ref. 4281).
Biology:  Adults occur in shallow coastal and estuarine waters, sometimes among mangroves. Also found regularly in freshwater in the lower reaches of rivers (Ref. 4967, 44894) and tidal creeks (Ref. 44894). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Males maybe brooding at about 9.8 SL.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 June 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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