Corythoichthys paxtoni

Corythoichthys paxtoni
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Syngnathiformes
Family:	Syngnathidae
Genus:	Corythoichthys
Species:	C. paxtoni
Binomial name
Corythoichthys paxtoni Dawson, 1977

Corythoichthys paxtoni, commonly known as Paxton's pipefish, is a species of marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. It is endemic to the Coral Sea, being found in the Great Barrier Reef, the Chesterfield Islands, and New Caledonia. ^[1] It inhabits coral reefs and rubble lagoons to depths of 18 metres (59 ft), where it can grow to lengths of 13 centimetres (5.1 in). This species mates monogamously and is ovoviviparous, with males carrying eggs until giving birth to live young. ^[2]

Etymology

The generic name is derived from Greek korys or korythos which means "helmet" and ichtys which means "fish". The specific name honours Dr John R. Paxton, the former Curator of Fishes, Australian Museum, Sydney. ^{[3] [4]}

References

1. Gillespie, K. & Pollom, R. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Corythoichthys paxtoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 e.T65365090A115416189. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T65365090A67619415.en .
2. Dawson, C.E., 1985. Indo-Pacific pipefishes (Red Sea to the Americas). The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Ocean Springs, Mississippi, USA.
3. Thompson, Vanessa J. & Dianne J. Bray. "Corythoichthys paxtoni". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
4. Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Order SYNGNATHIFORMES: Families AULOSTOMIDAE, CENTRISCIDAE, FISTULARIIDAE, SOLENOSTOMIDAE and SYNGNATHIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 10 October 2025.

Further reading

• Atlas of Living Australia
• Government of Australia Department of the Environment and Energy