PIPEFISH
Fused Jaw Family
The Syngnathidae is a family of fish which includes seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons. The name is derived from Ancient Greek meaning "together, jaw". This fused jaw trait is something the entire family has in common. These delicate fish are also characterised by their elongated snouts, the absence of pelvic fins, and by thick plates of bony armor covering their bodies.
Hide and Sneak
At least 30 species of pipefish have been recorded in southern Australian waters. Pipefish look like straight-bodied seahorses with tiny mouths. The body and tail are long, thin, and snake-like. This makes them excellent at hiding among seaweed foliage and seagrass blades. Any diver will appreciate just how elusive these fish can be and they generally can only be spotted by the trained eye (a great reason to dive with a local guide when visiting dive sites of the GSR).
Dependent on Healthy Habitats
Many are very weak swimmers in open water, moving slowly by means of rapid movements of the dorsal fin. While they don’t have any teeth, pipefish are carnivores and do have the ability to suck up food directly into their mouths. Due to their lack of strong swimming ability, pipefish are often found in shallow, protected, waters. They are most commonly sighted in seagrass and seaweed near jettys. Since many species have a narrow range distribution, any disturbances in these habitats may make many pipefish populations particularly vulnerable.
Meeting a Mate
Like their seahorse relatives, pipefish females leave most parenting responsibilities to the male. Those witnessing courtship have observed lengthy and complicated shows of display. The dance involves groovy wriggling and abrupt shaking motions. Young are born as free swimmers and begin feeding immediately. From the moment they hatch, they are independent of their parents and are especially vulnerable to predation.
Keep an Eye Out
Due to their cryptic nature, reported sightings are limited. Knowledge about their range, distribution, abundance, biology and ecology remain a mystery for many of these pipefish species. The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 protects all syngnathids found in Commonwealth waters, making it against the law to kill, injure, take, trade, move or export any members of the family without a Commonwealth approval permit. Various State Government agencies protect syngnathid species.
Fast Facts:
Family: Syngnathidae
Order: Syngnathiformes (seahorses and pipefish)
Feeding: Tiny crustaceans, copepods, fish eggs
Habitat: Shallow seagrass beds and seaweed forests
Distribution: Widespread, many endemic species to the GSR
Special Power: Suction feeding
