Deep-snouted pipefish

D-Grasnadel; GB-Deep-snouted pipefish, Broadnosed pipefish; DK-Tangnål; PL-Iglicznia; LT-Jūrų adata; LV-Adatzivs; EST-Merinõel; RU-Длиннорылая рыба-игла; FIN-Särmäneula; S-Tångsnälla

Characters

1) Snout often very high (often as high as rest of head); snout laterally very compressed.
●) Caudal fin and pectoral fins present; pelvic fins absent.
●) Body colouration variable greenish or brownish.
Up to max. 35 cm length.

Similar species

Great pipefish - snout round in diameter and less deep.

Lesser pipefish - snout round in diameter and less deep.

Snake pipefish - without pectoral fins; caudal fin very small, hardly visible.

Straightnose pipefish - without caudal and pectoral fins.

Fifteen-spined stickleback - pelvic fins present; 14 to 17 free dorsal spines.

Biology

Restricted to algae and seagrass beds in shallow waters, also occurs in brackish water. Often swimming tail down between leaves; colouration is adapted to the colour of the leaves; in the summer females deposit 100 to 250 eggs into the brood pouch of the male, 25 mm large young fish hatch after 4 weeks. Life expectancy 2-3 years.

Diet

Feeds on small crustaceans and fish fry.

Importance

No food fish; occasionally kept in aquaria.