Doryrhamphus janssi, Janss' Pipefish (2)

photo: Torsten81

 

Habitat: Western Central Pacific
Status: Least Concern

This elegant creature is Janss’ Pipefish (Doryrhamphus janssi), a species of flagtail pipefish that’s closely related to seahorses. Unlike a seahorse however, pipefish have straight heads and bodies, rather than the head being positioned at a 90 degree angle to the body. They also lack the prehensile tail that seahorses possess.

Janss’ Pipefish is easily recognizable by its wonderful coloration: it has a bright orange middle and bluish head and tail regions. The tail almost looks like a single feather attached to the fish’s rear! This species of pipefish also has a longer and more slender snout than other species of pipefish. The name Doryrhamphus actually stems from Greek words meaning ‘lance’ and ‘bill’ or ‘beak’, referring to the fish’s long, thin snout.

They grow up to 14cm in length.