<i>Ocellate Pipefish, Corythoichthys ocellatus</i> Click to enlarge image
An Ocellate Pipefish, Corythoichthys ocellatus, at a depth of 9m, Madang, Papua New Guinea, July 2003. Image: Harry Rothenfluh
© Harry Rothenfluh

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Corythoichthys
    Species
    ocellatus
    Family
    Syngnathidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to about 12 cm in length.

Introduction

The Ocellate Pipefish can be recognised by the pupil-sized orange spots on the body and tail.

Identification

The Ocellate Pipefish can be recognised by the pupil-sized orange spots on the body and tail.

Habitat

It is found in coral reef and inshore marine waters.

Distribution

The species occurs in the Western Pacific region.

In Australia it is known from the northern to southern Great Barrier Reef.

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

  • Dawson, C.E. 1985. Indo-Pacific Pipefishes (Red Sea to the Americas). Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, USA. Pp. 230.
  • Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Seahorses, Pipefishes and their Relatives. A Comprehensive Guide to Syngnathiformes. TMC Publishing Pp. 240.
  • Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.