The ghost pipefishes (also called false pipefishes or tubemouth fishes) are a small family Solenostomidae in the order Syngnathiformes. The family consists of just a single genus, Solenostomus, with five currently recognized species.^[2] Ghostpipefishes are related to pipefishes and seahorses. They are found in tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, from Asia to Africa.^[3]

The animals, none of which are longer than 15 centimetres (5.9 in), float near motionlessly, with the mouth facing downwards, around a background that makes them nearly impossible to see. They feed on tiny crustaceans, sucked inside through their long snout. They live in open waters except during breeding, when they find a coral reef or muddy bottom, changing color and shape to minimize visibility.^[3]

In many respects, they are similar to the pipefishes, but can be distinguished by the presence of pelvic fins, a prominent, spiny, dorsal fin, and star-shaped plates on the skin. Unlike true pipefish, female ghostpipefishes use their enlarged pelvic fins to brood their eggs until they hatch.^[3]

Ornate ghostpipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus.

Species [edit]

• Solenostomus armatus M. C. W. Weber, 1913 (Armored pipefish)
• Solenostomus cyanopterus Bleeker, 1854 (Ghost Pipefish)
• Solenostomus halimeda J. W. Orr, Fritzsche & J. E. Randall, 2002 (Halimeda Ghostpipefish)
• Solenostomus leptosoma S. Tanaka (I), 1908 (Delicate Ghostpipefish)
• Solenostomus paradoxus (Pallas, 1770) (Harlequin Ghostpipefish)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Solenostomus

References [edit]

• "Solenostomus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 6 June 2006. 
• Tim Flannery and Peter Schouten. Amazing Animals: Extraordinary Creatures and the Fantastic Worlds They Inhabit. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2004. Page 116-117.
• Orr, JW and Fritzsche, RA. 1993. Revision of the Ghost Pipefishes, Family Solenostomidae (Teleostei: Syngnathoidei). Copeia 1993:168-182.