Ghost pipefish

(Solenostomus cyanopterus)

galery

Description

Solenostomus cyanopterus can reach a length of 17 cm (6.7 in) and it is the largest of the ghost pipefishes.The body may be grey,brown,pink,yellow,or bright green,with small black and white dots.This cryptic species looks very similar to a drifting piece of seagrass.The caudal fin may be truncated,rounded,or lanceolated;the caudal peduncle is quite short or absent.The pelvic fin is sexually dimorphic.It is an uncommon species related to pipefishes and seahorses.It can be distinguished by the presence of the pelvic fins,the prominent spiny dorsal fin,and 27–35 star-shaped plates on the skin.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:
Class: Actinopterygii
Order:Syngnathiformes
Family:Solenostomidae
Genus:Solenostomus
News coming your way
The biggest news about our planet delivered to you each day
Subscribe