Syngnathus pelagicus Linnaeus, 1758
Sargassum pipefish
Syngnathus pelagicus
photo by Albernas, J.I.H.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  18.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Maine (USA), Bermuda and northern Gulf of Mexico to Argentina. Nova Scotia, Antilles, western Caribbean from Yucatan to Colombia (Ref. 26938). Taxonomic status of the eastern Atlantic population (from Mauritania to Gabon) needs further study and records from Cape of Good Hope, South Africa and the Indo-Pacific area require confirmation (Ref. 4509).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-31. Slender, long snout (1.4-1.7 in head length) (Ref. 26938).
Biology:  Associated with floating Sargassum (Ref. 4509). 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 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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