View larger image
View larger image
This lovely little Dwarf Pipehorse Idiotropiscis new species was brought into the museum by Mr. Akos Lumnitzer. Akos is a keen underwater photographer who has done over 550 dives around Sydney. He first saw a Pipehorse like this one 12 months ago and has been looking for another one ever since. This specimen collected near Sydney is a new species which is currently being described by Mr R. Kuiter.
Dwarf Pipehorses are rarely seen due to their small size and cryptic colouration. The related species, A. tentaculata lives in shallow coastal waters, often in silty areas with some rocks or algae. Three other species of Dwarf Pipehorse are known from Australian waters.
Akos has an aquarium collecting permit issued by NSW State Fisheries.
More images of the Dwarf Pipehorse.