Broadnosed Pipefish
Syngnathus typhle
Greater Pipefish
Syngnathus acus
About
The greater pipefish is a long, stiff, needle-shaped fish that hides in plain sight among seaweed and seagrass. Its rigid, ringed body makes it look more like a twig than a fish.
Also known as: needle-fish, horn-eel
- Length
- 50 cm
- Depth
- 3–12 m
How to tell it apart
This species can be confused with other pipefish of a similar long, thin shape. Its small pectoral and anal fins, absent in the similar snake pipefish, along with the small bump behind its eyes, help confirm this species.
Appearance
This fish has a long, segmented body that feels stiff and rigid, with an angular, almost square cross-section. Its snout is long and thin, ending in a small mouth, with a small bump on top of the head just behind the eyes. Colour ranges from brown to green, marked with distinct bands of sandy brown rings and darker bars along the body. It grows up to 50 cm long.
Habitat
It lives in coastal and estuarine waters over sand, mud, and rough bottoms, often hiding among seaweed and seagrass beds. It is common around the British Isles and the Mediterranean Sea, usually found from 3 to 12 m deep, though it has been recorded to 110 m.
Did you know?
This pipefish's species name, acus, is Latin for 'needle', describing its long, thin, needle-like body.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
