Messmate Pipefish, Corythoichthys intestinalis (Ramsay, 1881)
Scientific name: Corythoichthys intestinalis
Alternative name/s:
Australian Messmate Pipefish, Banded Pipefish, Messmate Pipe-fish, Waite's Pipe-fish, Dragonface Pipefish
Australian Messmate Pipefish, Banded Pipefish, Messmate Pipe-fish, Waite's Pipe-fish, Dragonface Pipefish
Click to enlarge image
A Messmate Pipefish in the lagoon at Lizard Island, Queensland, 2012.
Image: Barbara Banks
© Barbara Banks
© Barbara Banks
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Corythoichthys
- Species
- intestinalis
- Family
- Syngnathidae
- Order
- Syngnathiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 16 cm
Introduction
The Messmate Pipefish is a tropical species that occurs in the Indo-west Pacific region.
Identification
The species can be recognised by its white colouration with a series of brown bars and fine, wavy, dark lines.
Distribution
It is known from tropical marine waters of the Indo-west Pacific. In Australia it occurs in tropical waters of Western Australia and Queensland.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
References
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
