Solenostomus halimeda Orr, Fritzsche & Randall, 2002
Halimeda ghostpipefish
photo by Henke, M.

Family:  Solenostomidae (Ghost pipefishes)
Max. size:  4.69 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 23 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: from Maldives to the Marshall Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal soft rays: 17-19; Vertebrae: 32-32. This species is distinguished by the following characters: short dorsal, pelvic and caudal fins; truncate or slightly rounded caudal fin; fin membranes entire; olfactory rosette in females with a small dorsal patch of a nasal lamellae, males with a larger patch filling about half of the nasal cavity; no premaxillary spine; fin counts low; multifid dermal papillae; color in live individuals pale green with lighter mottling, spinous dorsal fin membrane between 2 anteriormost spines typically with large black blotches and body with scattered dark spot; small size at maturity, females with eggs 34.3-46.9 mm (Ref .57851). Description: Characterized by depth of body 17.0-29.9 % SL; least snout depth 9.3-11.1 % SL; depth of caudal peduncle 3.5-10.3 % SL; length of caudal peduncle 5.2-7.5 % SL; length of caudal fin 14.2-24.3 % SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in coral reef of inshore waters. Benthic species (Ref. 75154). Females carry the eggs in their pelvic fins that are modified to form a brood pouch (Ref. 205). Often among Halimeda or coralline algae, whhich it greatly resembles (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 10 December 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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