The Halimeda ghost pipefish, Solenostomus halimeda, is a species of false pipefishes belonging to the family Solenostomidae.[2]
| Halimeda ghost pipefish | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Syngnathiformes |
| Family: | Solenostomidae |
| Genus: | Solenostomus |
| Species: | S. halimeda
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| Binomial name | |
| Solenostomus halimeda | |
Description
editSolenostomus halimeda can reach a length of 6.5 cm (2.6 in),[3] and is the smallest of the ghost pipefishes. Its body is most often green, but can be red or any other color of the algae or coral in which it is hiding. This cryptic species looks very similar to the macroalga Halimeda. This uncommon species is related to pipefishes and seahorses. It can be distinguished by its large head that is about the same length as the rest of its body. The caudal fin is small and similar in form and size to the dorsal and pectoral fins.
Behavior
editThese fish float nearly motionless, with their mouths facing downwards, around a background that makes them nearly impossible to see. They feed on tiny crustaceans, sucked inside through their long snouts. Unlike true pipefish, female Halimeda ghost pipefish carry their fertilised eggs between their pelvic fins, which are modified to form a brood pouch, until the eggs are ready to hatch.[4]
Distribution
editThis species lives in the Indian Ocean and in the Western Indo-Pacific, from the Maldives to the Marshall Islands.
Habitat
editThe Halimeda ghost pipefish is reef-associated and lives at depths up to 23 m (75 ft).
References
edit- ^ Dick, K. & Pollom, R. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Solenostomus halimeda". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T65363378A115408656. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T65363378A67621188.en.
- ^ Orr, J.W., R.A. Fritzsche and John E. Randall. 2002. Solenostomous halimeda, a new species of ghostpipefish (Teleostei: Gastersosteiformes) from the Indo-west Pacific Ocean, with a revised key to the family Solenostomidae. Aqua 5(3): 99-108.
- ^ [Rudie H. Kuiter: Seepferdchen, Seenadeln, Fetzenfische und ihre Verwandten, 2001, Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart, ISBN 3-8001-3244-3]
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Solenostomus halimeda". FishBase. February 2018 version.
- Debelius H. Indian Ocean Reef Guide. Frankfurt: IKAN Unterwasserarchiv, 2006. Page 63.
External links
edit- Fishes of Australia : Solenostomus halimeda
- Photos of Halimeda ghost pipefish on Sealife Collection