Corythoichthys nigripectus Herald, 1953
Black-breasted pipefish
photo by Field, R.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  11 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 30 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: northern Red Sea and from Ulithi Atoll (Caroline Islands) eastward to the Society Islands south to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-31; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Description: Characterized by generally whitish color with black mark on breast; reddish stripe from top of head and along upper trunk to below dorsal fin; lower half of trunk with a pair of broken orange stripes; tail with grayish bars; 10 caudal rays; rings 16 + 36 - 40; discontinuous superior trunk and tail ridges; straight lateral trunk ridge, ends near anal ring; continuous inferior trunk and tail ridges; length of snout 1.9-2.3 in head length; depth of snout 5.0-7.8 in snout length; head length 6.8-9.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Solitary or paired among corals and algae patches (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 December 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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