Jewelry ghost pipefish

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Jewelry ghost pipefish
Solenostomus paradoxus (Harlequin ghost pipefish) .jpg

Ornate ghost pipefish ( Solenostomus paradoxus )

Systematics
Spinefish (Acanthopterygii)
Perch relatives (Percomorphaceae)
Order : Pipefish (Syngnathiformes)
Family : Solenostomidae
Genre : Ghost pipefish ( Solenostomus )
Type : Jewelry ghost pipefish
Scientific name
Solenostomus paradoxus
( Pallas , 1770)

The ornamental ghost pipefish ( Solenostomus paradoxus ), also called harlequin ghost pipefish , lives in the Red Sea and in the tropical Indo-Pacific from the coast of East Africa to southeastern Australia , New Caledonia , the Fiji Islands, Tonga and north to southern Japan .

features

The species is variably black to red or yellow in color, usually with small spots. The fish are covered by numerous fringed skin outgrowths. Young pelagic fish and animals that have just changed to benthic life are completely transparent and slimmer than the adult form . When fully grown, they reach a length of twelve centimeters. There are 32 to 33 vertebrae. The body is protected by 31 to 35 bone plates.

Fin formula : dorsal V / 17-21, anal 17-21.

The caudal fin is spade-shaped or rounded, the caudal fin stalk is long. The pelvic fins of the females are transformed into a brood pouch for the clutch.

Way of life

The fish initially live pelagic and only go to the bottom to reproduce. They then live on reefs near the coast, mostly between gorgonians , algae or close to hair stars , where they are well camouflaged. The ornamental ghost pipefish is monogamous and can be found in pairs or individually. As with all ghost pipefish, the females form a brood pouch with their pelvic fins and carry the eggs around with them until the young fish hatch. They feed on hover shrimp (Mysida) and other small crustaceans.

literature

Web links

Commons : Solenostomus paradoxus  - album with pictures, videos and audio files