Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and seahorses) >
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) > Syngnathinae
Etymology: Pseudophallus: Greek, pseudes = false + Greek, phallus = phallus (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Meek & Hildebrand.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 26°C - 31°C (Ref. 36880)
Central America: Jiménez, Costa Rica to Rio Chico, Panama.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 9.5, range 9 - 10 cm
Max length : 18.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 79722)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Recorded from rivers and coastal creeks of low to moderate current velocity. Generally occurs near shorelines among grasses or undergrowth. Sometimes found in tidelands near stream outlets; in rivers it reaches 20 m elevation. Food consists of small aquatic insects (Ref. 36880). Probably reaching 19-20 cm SL. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Males may be brooding at 9-10 cm SL.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch (Ref. 205).
Dawson, C.E., 1985. Indo-Pacific pipefishes (Red Sea to the Americas). The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Ocean Springs, Mississippi, USA. (Ref. 5316)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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