Kingdom Animalia Class Actinopterygii Family Syngnathidae Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Syngnathiformes Genus Choeroichthys | |
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Choeroichthys latispinosus, also known as the Muiron Island pipefish or Muiron pipefish, is a species of pipefish native to the western coast of Australia. Described by Charles Dawson based on a single specimen in 1978, the species is still known from only three localities.
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Description
The holotype, a female, measures 27.5 mm (1.08 in) SL. Ground colour is dark brown; there are pale white blotches and mottling. Dorsal fin is narrowly edged with black or brown. The snout has a protruding, spinous lateral ridge, to which its specific name latispinosus refers: it is derived from the Latin latus (side) and spinosus (thorny).
Reproduction
Along with other members of its genus, males of this species brood the young in a simple pouch beneath their trunk or midsection. Females transfer eggs to the male, and he broods them until they hatch and then gives birth to live young.
Habitat and diet
The species inhabits coastal coral reefs, and is thought to feed on small planktonic crustaceans such as copepods and isopods, as is exhibited by other more well-known syngnathid fishes.
Conservation
Choeroichthys latispinosus is listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species. The major threat to this species is the loss and degradation of its coral reef habitat. Further research is required in order to understand the species full range, ecology, abundance, and trend in population size.