European short-nosed pipefish
| European short-nosed pipefish | ||||||||||||
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European short-nosed pipefish ( Syngnathus abaster ) |
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| Syngnathus abaster | ||||||||||||
| Risso , 1827 |
The European short-nosed pipefish ( Syngnathus abaster ), also known as the Black Sea pipefish , is a species of pipefish found in European waters. It lives on the European Atlantic coast from the southern Biscay to Gibraltar , in the Mediterranean , in the Black , Azov and Caspian Seas , as well as in the lower reaches of the Danube , Dniester , Southern Bug , Dnepr , Don , Ural , Volga and Kura . The populations in the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea have each been described as separate species ( Syngnathus nigrolineatus and Syngnathus caspius ), but these are now synonymous with Syngnathus abaster .
features
The European short-nosed pipefish has a very elongated, thin body and is up to 15 cm long, in the Black Sea 21 to 23 cm long. The snout with the upper mouth is elongated like a pipette and slightly flattened at the sides. Compared to other pipefish, however, the snout is relatively short and makes up less than half the length of the head. The eyes are small.
The European short-nosed pipefish is variable in color from brown to green and has dark or light spots or horizontal stripes on the belly and tail and often a dark stripe on the dorsal fin and a dark belly. As with all pipefish, the body is armored by bone plates arranged in rings, seven rows on the trunk and four on the tail. The sideline is complete, pelvic fins are missing.
- Fin formula : dorsal 1 29–39, anal 3, pectoral 12–13, caudal 10.
Way of life
The European short-nosed pipefish lives close to the coast over sandy and muddy ground in vegetation. Their temperature tolerance ranges from 8 to 24 ° C. It feeds on zooplankton , small crustaceans and fish larvae.
The breeding season extends from May to August. The relatively large eggs are taken over by the male during mating, who carries them for 20 to 25 days until the young sea needles hatch in the brood pouch formed by two skin folds on the underside of the tail. The animals reach sexual maturity after one year.
literature
- Rudie H. Kuiter : Seahorses: pipefish, shredded fish and their relatives . Ulmer (Eugen), 2001, ISBN 3-80013-244-3
- Fritz Terofal: Steinbach's natural guide, freshwater fish. Ulmer, Stuttgart 2003, ISBN 3-80014-296-1
Web links
- European short nose pipefish on Fishbase.org (English)
- Syngnathus abaster inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.2. Posted by: Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M., 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2014.