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Ornate Ghostpipefish
Solenostomus paradoxus (Pallas, 1770)
An Ornate Ghostpipefish at a depth of 21m, North Solitary Island, New South Wales, January 2001. View larger image.
Two Ornate Ghostpipefish at a depth of 21m, North Solitary Island, New South Wales, January 2001. View larger image.
The Ornate Ghostpipefish can be recognised by its distinctive body form with slender appendages on the body and fins. It has deeply incised membranes in the dorsal, caudal and ventral fins.
Its colour varies from almost totally black to semi-transparent with red, yellow, and white scribbling, spots and blotches.
It grows to 10cm in length.
This species is found in protected coastal waters, especially near coral and rocky dropoffs. It is a common species that is easily overlooked because of its cryptic body form and colouration.
It has a widespread distribution in tropical waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. The Ornate Ghostpipefish is usually solitary, but has also been observed in pairs or small groups.
In Australia this species has been recorded from Point Quobba, Western Australia, around the tropical north, and south to Shellharbour on the New South Wales coast. It is usually observed at depths between 3m and 25m.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Further reading
- Allen, G.R & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Seahorses, Pipefishes and their Relatives. A Comprehensive Guide to Syngnathiformes. TMC Publishing Pp. 240.
