Ghost Pipe Fish, Solenostomus paegnius

Ghost pipefishes are masters of disguise.  In fact they may have some of the best disguises in the sea, which range from uncanny mimicry of leaves, crinoids, algae to sponges and seagrass.  It is quite a challenge to find some of these little gems but well worth the hours scrutinising every little thing that moves on the reef.  The range of colours and body shapes can make even the seasoned critter hunter surprised by this amazing group.

 Ghost pipefish do not actually belong to the same taxonomic group that contains pipefish and seahorses as you might expect.  All belong to the order Sygnathiformes but the two groups belong to different families within the order; Ghost pipefishes belong to the family Solenostomidae, whilst pipefish and seahorses the family Sygnathidae. 

Their reproduction is unlike the true pipefish, in which the male broods the young, it is the female ghost pipefish that broods the eggs within large fused pelvic fins located under the body.  Most species have a relatively long period spent floating around in the ocean as plankton, reaching almost adult length before they finally settle onto the reef.  This means that they have a wide geographic range since they can travel long distances after they are born.  They are generally found living in pairs with the smaller, skinnier of the two male and the large individual, with bigger fins, the female.  They range in size from 10-15 cm. 

For further information on keeping Marine fish please follow this link below

https://ornamentalfish.org/what-we-do/advice-information/care-sheets/caresheets-marine-fish/