Shortfin Pipefish

The Shortfin Pipefish has a slender, elongated body with a noticeably long, narrow snout. It is marked with pale bands and sometimes irregular patterns. The body’s color varies from dark brown to shades of lavender-gray.

This Pipefish is often found alone, typically in shallow water on sandy bottoms, among seagrass beds, or around coral rubble. It is shy and cautious, and actively feeds during the day, using its long, narrow snout to suck up small crustaceans and plankton. Like other Pipefishes, the male is responsible for carrying and nurturing the eggs.