Shortpouch Pygmy Pipehorse, Acentronura breviperula Fraser-Brunner & Whitley, 1949

Scientific name: Acentronura breviperula
Shortpouch Pygmy Pipehorse, <i>Acentronura breviperula</i> Click to enlarge image
A Shortpouch Pygmy Pipehorse, Acentronura breviperula, at a depth of 3m, Bowen, Queensland, 2 March 2013. Image: Phil Mercurio
© Phil Mercurio

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Acentronura
    Species
    breviperula
    Family
    Syngnathidae
    Order
    Syngnathiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to about 5 cm in length.

Introduction

Not all sources agree on the classification of Acentronura species. Female Shortpouch Pygmy Pipehorse are slender and look like pipefish. Males have large bellies and look more like a seahorse.

Habitat

The species is usually seen in shallow waters (1 m - 20 m) on rubbly bottoms or in areas of sparse algal growth.

References

  1. Kuiter, R.H. 2009. Seahorses and their relatives. Aquatic Photographics. Pp. 333.