Southern Pygmy Pipehorse, Idiotropiscis australe (Waite & Hale, 1921)

Scientific name: Idiotropiscis australe
Alternative name/s:
Little Pipehorse, Southern Little Pipehorse
Little Pipehorse, <i>Idiotropiscis australe</i> Click to enlarge image
A Little Pipehorse at a depth of 5m, Edithburgh, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, June 2007. Image: Carey Harmer
© Carey Harmer

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Idiotropiscis
    Species
    australe
    Family
    Syngnathidae
    Order
    Syngnathiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 6 cm in length.

Introduction

The Southern Pygmy Pipehorse is a small cryptic species that is only known from Australia.

Identification

The head of the Southern Pygmy Pipehorse is roughly in line with the long axis of the body. The body may have many branching dermal flaps. The colouration of each individual probably matches its algal environment. Very little is known of the species because few species have been collected or photographed.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia, occurring in coastal waters. It has been photographed in shallow waters and dredged from an unknown depth in Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Dawson, C.E. Family Sygnathidae. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  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. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Seahorses, Pipefishes and their Relatives. A Comprehensive Guide to Syngnathiformes. TMC Publishing Pp. 240.