This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the functionality of our site. For more detailed information about the types of cookies we use and how we protect your privacy, please visit our Privacy Information page.
This website uses different types of cookies to enhance your experience. Please select your preferences below:
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. For example, we use Google Analytics to generate web statistics, which helps us improve our website's performance and user experience. These cookies may track information such as the pages visited, time spent on the site, and any errors encountered.
Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus (Bleeker, 1853) Ringed pipefish |
![]() |
photo by
Randall, J.E. |
Family: | Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Nerophinae | |||
Max. size: | 19 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 56 m | |||
Distribution: | Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to Japan (Ref. 559), south to Australia. | |||
Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-26; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Usually with one dark band crossing opercle (Ref. 4281). Description: Characterized by alternating dark brown to reddish and white bands; caudal fin red, white-edged with central yellow or white spot; 10 caudal rays; rings 15 - 17 + 18 - 22; discontinuous superior trunk and tail ridges; inferior trunk ridge ends on anal ring; lateral trunk ridge confluent with inferior tail ridge; length of snout 1.4-1.8 in head length; depth of snout 10.6-20.8 in snout length; head length 3.7-4.6 in SL (Ref. 90102). | |||
Biology: | Adults inhabit tide pools, lagoons, and outer reef slopes. Found in caves and crevices. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). Feeds on small invertebrates (Ref. 89972). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Have been reared in captivity (Ref. 35416). Solitary, pairs or in small aggregations in caves or under ledges (Ref 90102). | |||
IUCN Red List Status: | Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 28 June 2016 Ref. (130435) | |||
Threat to humans: | harmless |