Southern Gulf pipefish
📖 Overview
All specimens were collected or photographed in sheltered shallow open water at 1-5 m depth over a substrate of a mosaic of patches of brown algae, with Posidonia or Zostera. It appears to have a very limited inshore distribution along patches of moderate energy coastlines with low turbidity and a broken vegetation pattern of seagrass and brown algae. The restricted inshore habitat may be particularly vulnerable to pollutants or exotic marine species. The eggs of this species are deposited in two layers, a basal and then an external layer. A specimen with the greatest recorded number of eggs had 3 staggered rows of 64 basal membranous egg compartments on the tail, with the basal layer of eggs covered by a membrane with matching rows of egg pouches; the second layer with 34 eggs within the brood pouch folds resulted in a total of 98 eggs. Total lengths of larvae at hatching is 1.8 cm (vs. 1.3 cm in S. nigra and 3.2 cm in S. argus. Males of this species have extended brood patches from December to March, and juveniles < 9.0 cm are seen from December to March. Males also can mature at 11.3 cm. The maximum recorded brood was 98 eggs which was far greater than that recorded by for S. nigra which is approximately 25 and for S. argus with 41 eggs .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
This species differs from its congeners having an indistinct trunk and tail ridges, particularly lateral trunk ridge, in fresh specimens; the lateral trunk ridge terminates 1.5 body rings posterior to anal ring; short, wide and slightly elevated snout; 9 sub-dorsal tail rings; distinct banded pattern in both live and preserved specimens . : eel-like.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Southern Gulf pipefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 1 - 5 m . Temperate South Australia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Southern Gulf pipefish.
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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