Softcoral Pipefish, Siokunichthys breviceps
Scientific name: Siokunichthys breviceps
Click to enlarge image
A Softcoral Pipefish, Siokunichthys breviceps, at a depth of 12 m, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, 25 January 2013. Thank you to Rudie Kuiter for his help identifying the fish.
Image: Jayne Jenkins
© Jayne Jenkins
© Jayne Jenkins
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Siokunichthys
- Species
- breviceps
- Family
- Syngnathidae
- Order
- Syngnathiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- It grows to about 15 cm in length.
Identification
Softcoral Pipefish from the Western Pacific have a banded pattern.
Habitat
In soft corals in coastal waters to depths of about 10 m.
Distribution
It is believed to occur in the Western Indian and Western Pacific regions. The 'species' may actually be two similar species that are being called the same name. More research is required.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. 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.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2009. Seahorses and their relatives. Aquatic Photographics. Pp. 333.
