Sawtooth Pipefish, Maroubra perserrata Whitley, 1948

Scientific name: Maroubra perserrata
Sawtooth Pipefish, Maroubra perserrata Click to enlarge image
A Sawtooth Pipefish at a depth of 12 m, Fly Point, Port Stephens, New South Wales, February 2005. Image: David Atkinson
© David Atkinson

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Maroubra
    Species
    perserrata
    Family
    Syngnathidae
    Order
    Syngnathiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The Sawtooth Pipefish grows to about 8 cm in length.

Introduction

The Sawtooth Pipefish can be recognised by its colouration. The species can be found on coastal rocky reefs and estuaries in temperate marine waters.

Identification

The Sawtooth Pipefish can be recognised by its colouration. It is grey to brown with a pale stripe along the upper surface, from the tip of the snout to the caudal fin base. There is a prominent brown stripe on the side of the head and sometimes two narrow reddish-brown lines along both the sides of the body. The common name of this species refers to the spiny ridges along the upper and lower surfaces of the body.

The holotype of M. perserrata was collected at Maroubra Beach, Sydney, New South Wales in 1912 by A. McCulloch. It is stored in the Australian Museum Fish Collection (AMS I.12659).

Habitat

The species can be found on coastal rocky reefs and estuaries in temperate marine waters.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia from northern New South Wales, around the south of the country including Tasmania, to south-western Western Australia.

References

  1. Dawson, C.E., 1985. Indo-Pacific Pipefishes (Red Sea to the Americas). Ocean Springs (USA): Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. Pp. 1-230. (pp. 158-160).
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  6. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Seahorses, Pipefishes and their Relatives. A Comprehensive Guide to Syngnathiformes. TMC Publishing Pp. 240.