Halicampus brocki (Herald, 1953)
Brock's pipefish
photo by Steene, R.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  12 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 45 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Philippines and northwestern Australia to Queensland, north to the Yaeyama Islands; Marshall and Mariana Islands in Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-23; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Body rings 14 + 33-37. Slender species with branching tentacles on the head (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by whitish or pale grey color or sometimes brown to reddish with grey saddles across back, extending onto lateral surface; 10 caudal rays; discontinuous superior trunk and tail ridges; inferior trunk ridge ending at anal ring; lateral trunk ridge confluent with inferior tail ridge; length of snout 2.4-3.0 in head length; depth of snout 2.4-4.5 in snout length; head length 8.5-12.4 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults occur in lagoon and seaward reefs, at moderate depths (Ref. 48635). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Solitary and cryptic among corals and weeds (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 November 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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