Blue-spotted Pipefish
Hippichthys cyanospilos
Max Size
See in AppMax Weight
—
Max Depth
4 m
Description
Description
The blue-spotted pipefish is a small-sized fish that can reach a maximum length of 16 cm. Its head is in the continuity of the body. The snout is tapered and have a medium length. The body has a somewhat angular appearance due to the presence of four discontinuous longitudinal ridges distributed over the dorsal and ventral side. The caudal fin is small and narrow.
The body coloration may range from yellow to light brown through almost black. The color can be plain, spotted or mottled with white, yellow or light blue. The dorsal fin is usually whitish with many small black spots.
Distribution & habitat
The blue-spotted pipefish is widespread throughout the tropical, subtropical and temperate waters of the Indo-Pacific from the eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea included, to Fidji and Philippines and from south Japan to north coast of Australia).
The blue-spotted pipefish likes the shallow waters of estuaries from small coastal rivers and mangrove area.
Biology
The bluespeckled pipefish feeds on planktonic crustacean. It is ovoviviparous and it is the male who broods the eggs in its ventral brood pouch. The latter includes villi rich in capillaries that surround each fertilized egg creating a sort of placenta supplying the embryos. When fully grown, pups will be expelled from the pocket and evolve in complete autonomy.
Where to Find
Colors
Habitat and Environment
Benthic
Mud and Sand
Conservation status
(LC) Least concern
Poisonous
See in SeabookDanger to human
See in SeabookVenomous
See in SeabookSimilar Species
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue-spotted Pipefish dangerous?
Blue-spotted Pipefish is classified as: No, No, No. Always exercise caution and keep a safe distance.
Where can you find Blue-spotted Pipefish?
Blue-spotted Pipefish can be found in: Bali, Egypt East, Laccadive Islands, Saudi Arabia West, Oman North, Malaysia East, Taiwan, Australia North, Malaysia West, Somalia East, Vanuatu, Sudan, Brunei, China, Myanmar, Eritrea, Australia, Hong Kong, Kenya, Qatar, India, Israel, Japan South, India East, India West, Thailand West, Israel South, Saudi Arabia East, Oman, Oman East, Somalia North, Australia East, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles, Cambodia, Indo-Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Iraq, Singapore, Tanzania, Malaysia, Kuwait, Bahrain, South Africa, Red Sea, Japan, Indonesia, Chagos Islands, Mozambique, Jordan, Palau, Philippines, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Micronesia, Egypt, Yemen, Mascarene Islands, Madagascar, Pakistan, Djibouti, Iran South, United Arab Emirates, Comoros, Fiji, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Somalia.
How deep does Blue-spotted Pipefish live?
Blue-spotted Pipefish can be found at depths of up to 4 meters.