Teleostei (teleosts) >
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and seahorses) >
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) > Nerophinae
Etymology: Doryrhamphus: Greek, dory = lance + Greek, rhamphos = bill, beak (Ref. 45335).
Issue
Issue on validity of subspecies: subspecies considered as valid in FB, synonymized with the species Doryrhamphus excisus Kaup, 1856 in Eschmeyer (CofF ver. Mar. 2011: Ref. 86697). Please send references, or more studies are needed.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 8 m (Ref. 112725), usually 3 - 8 m (Ref. 112725). Tropical
Western Indian Ocean: endemic to the Red Sea from the Gulf of Suez south to Massawa and Jiddah on the east coast. It was noted by Dawson (Ref. 5316) that there is a clinal increase in the number of total rings and dorsal rays for the 3 subspecies; more study is needed (Ref. 86689).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 4.3 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5316)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Adults occur in reefs and tide pools at depths of about 9 m. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).
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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