Phylum Chordata Scientific name Corythoichthys schultzi Rank Species | ||
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Similar Corythoichthys, Pipefish, Syngnathidae, Corythoichthys flavofasciatus, Corythoichthys amplexus | ||
Schultz s pipefish red sea 2010 11 m2t
Etymology
The genus name Corythoichthys derives from the Greek words «coris», meaning «helmet» and «ichthus» meaning fish. The species name «schultzi» honors Leonard Peter Schultz, an American ichthyologist of the Smithsonian Institution (Washington).
Description
Corythoichthys schultzi can reach a length of a length up to 16 cm in males. The body is cylindrical and very elongated. These pipefishes have a cryptic coloration making the difficult to be detected by both prey and predators. The basic color of the body is whitish, with small black, brown and reddish dashes and yellowish rings. The eyes are protruding and the snout is long, slightly compressed and thinner than the body. The caudal fin is present but quite small. Adults may form small aggregation. Ovoviviparous, the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. In this pouch they also carry the developing young pipefishes.
Distribution
This species is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific Oceans, from Red Sea and East Africa to Tonga, throughout Micronesia, northern Australia and New Caledonia.
Habitat
Schultz's pipefish is benthic species associated to coral reef. It usually can be found in lagoon and seaward reefs at depths of between 2 and 30 m.