Ornate pipefish

The Ornate pipefish lives in the reef-associated, marine, depth range 3 - 25 m environment.

Called an Ornate pipefish, this three to four-inch (7-10 cm) specimen is as cryptic as most of its sea dragon and seahorse cousins. Along the flat dorsal trunk are numerous yellow plates with wing-like extensions. More

The ornate pipefish has numerous leaf-like flaps. These flaps can look like small branches or pieces of algae. They are very well camouflaged. I saw this ornate pipefish only because it moved. Ornate pipefishes feed on small crustaceans. More

Of the two other Ornate Pipefish I have photographed in Timor (see photo from November), both seemed to have claimed a territory, and were found in the same locations on our return visits. More

Common names

Ornate pipefish in English
Viiksikoruneula in Finnish (suomen kieli)
Whiskered pipefish in English
Winged pipefish in English
大吻海蠋魚 in Mandarin Chinese
大吻海蠋鱼 in Mandarin Chinese
巨吻海龍 in Mandarin Chinese
巨吻海龙 in Mandarin Chinese

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