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Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and seahorses) >
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) > Syngnathinae
Etymology: Syngnathus: Greek, syn, symphysis = grown together + Greek, gnathos = jaw (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Risso.
Issue
Syngnathus caspius Eichwald, 1831, was considered a synonym of Syngnathus abaster Risso, 1827. Reconsidered as a valid species since 2009 in various ichthyofaunas without compelling evidence until Zarei et al. (2021: Ref. 130571) used genetic characters (see the introduction for a complete history of the taxonomy). Information under Syngnathus abaster to be reviewed in FB.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous? (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 5 m (Ref. 6733). Subtropical; 45°N - 30°N, 10°W - 42°E
Eastern Atlantic: southern Biscay to Gibraltar, and also the Mediterranean and Black seas. Introduced and became established in the former USSR.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 22.1 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 94846)
Euryhaline, found among detritus or vegetation over sand or mud, within a temperature range of 8° to 24°C. Probably an amphidromous species (Ref. 51243) but migratory behavior needs verification. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Early free-living young measure 23 mm TL (Ref. 6733).
Females lay 10-60 eggs into a brood pouch on ventral surface of tail of males. Males fertilize the eggs as they enter the pouch. Eggs incubate in the male´s brood pouch for about 20-32 days, depending of temperature. (Ref.59043).
Dawson, C.E., 1986. Syngnathidae. p. 628-639. In P.J.P. Whitehead, M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J. Nielsen and E. Tortonese (eds.) Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Volume 2. Unesco, Paris. (Ref. 6733)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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