Animal Species:Short-tail River Pipefish, Microphis brachyurus (Bleeker, 1853)

The Short-tail River Pipefish has a very long slender snout with small white spots and blotches. The body is brown or greenish above and pale below. There are very small white spots on the body and a dark line through both eyes.

Identification

The Short-tail River Pipefish has a very long slender snout with small white spots and blotches. The body is brown or greenish above and pale below. There are very small white spots on the body and a dark line through both eyes.

Size range

It grows to 22cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical waters throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

In Australia it is known from Cape York, south to the Lizard Island area, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Microphis brachyurus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Short-tail River Pipefish specimens in the Australian Museums

What does this mean?

Habitat

Juveniles have been collected from offshore marine waters and in harbours. Adults and juveniles have been collected from estuaries, freshwater streams and rivers. The species has a marine larval stage.

Mating and reproduction

Mature male Short-tail River Pipefish carry the eggs in a brood pouch on the ventral surface of the body. Large males can carry several hundred eggs.

Classification

Species:
brachyurus
Genus:
Microphis
Family:
Syngnathidae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  • Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
  • Dawson, C.E. 1984. Revision of the genus Microphis Kaup (Pisces: Syngnathidae). Bulletin of Marine Science. 35(2):117-181.
  • 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
  • Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen & J.E. Hanley. 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol.7 Pisces Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Survey. Pp. i-xii, 1-665.


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