| Banded pipefish | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Syngnathiformes |
| Family: | Syngnathidae |
| Genus: | Dunckerocampus |
| Species: | D. dactyliophorus |
| Binomial name | |
| Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus (Bleeker, 1853) | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
The banded pipefish or ringed pipefish (Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus) is a species of fish in the Syngnathidae (seahorses and pipefish) family. [3] [2]
The banded pipefish is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, Red Sea included. [2] Its range includes Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Japan, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, South Africa, and Taiwan. [1] It inhabits tide pools, lagoons, and outer reef slopes in tropical climates. [2]
The banded pipefish has a straight, elongated body which reaches a maximum length of 19 cm (7.4 in). [2] It has fleshy streams coming back from its head. These trails are thought to be mechanisms of camouflage for the pipefish whilst hiding in reeds. [4]
Similar to the other seahorses and pipefishes, the male banded pipefish is equipped with a specialised brood pouch, rather than the female. [5] The female deposits her eggs in the male's pouch, where they develop. The male later gives birth. [6]
