| Family: |
Solenostomidae (Ghost pipefishes) |
| Max. size: |
5.7 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 95 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Southeast of Kyushu Islands, Japan to Arafura Sea, Indonesia and Australia; east tio Fiji. Also known from China. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-22; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 20-22; Vertebrae: 32-33. Total number of body plates is 33-35. Color and color patterns highly variable: most specimens in dark-color phase with dark red background overlaid with reticulated yellow to orange blotches; some in light-color phase of yellow to beige with few spots of darker pigment on body. Two large black spots present between first and third dorsal-fin spines (Ref. 9829). Long caudal peduncle and elongated caudal fin (Ref. 48635).
Description: Characterized by depth of body 15.7-19.0 % SL; least snout depth 3.9-4.3 % SL; depth of caudal peduncle 2.9-3.7 % SL; length of caudal peduncle13.8-17.6 % SL; length of caudal fin 46-52 % SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Adults occur over muddy bottom. Females carry the eggs in their pelvic fins that are modified to form a brood pouch (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 December 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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