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Penetopteryx taeniocephalus Lunel, 1881 Oceanic pipefish |
| Family: | Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae | |||
| Max. size: | 7.25 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 2 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-Pacific: Madagascar to Christmas Island (Line Islands). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-30. Description: Characterized by brownish color with dark edged white bars on head; males with white blotch surrounding 1-4 small black spots on ventral-lateral portion of third to sixth trunk rings and three black spots in vertical row on middle of most lateral trunk rings; absence of anal fin; subadult and adult without pectoral rays; 10 caudal rays; rings 18-19 + 41-43; continuous superior trunk and tail ridges; inferior trunk ridge ends at anal ring; confluent lateral trunk ridge with inferior tail ridge; length of snout 3.2-4.1 in head length; depth of snout 1.2-1.4 in snout length; head length 8.5-13.1 in SL (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | Sub-adults and adults are demersal and have been found among gravel and coral rubble. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Males may be brooding at 5.4 cm SL. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 January 2016 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||