Idiotropiscis lumnitzeri
Sydney Pygmy Pipehorse
©John Turnbull: Sydney Pygmy Pipehorse (Idiotropiscis lumnitzeri) showing gloved finger for comparison. This is the biggest pygmy pipehorse I've seen - the Clydesdale of pipehorses! Bare Island.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Syngnathiformes
Family
Syngnathidae
Genus
Idiotropiscis
Species
Idiotropiscis lumnitzeri
Colours
Distinguishing features
The top of head has a prominent, tall, frontal ridge.
It is white to dark grey with brown to red blotches or irregular banding; sometimes it is uniformly burgundy-red.
It has fleshy appendages mostly red with grey branches or tips. (Fishbase)
Size
- Up to 5.5 cm (Total Length)
Depth range
- From 6 m to 30 m
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
It is endemic to a tiny area - Sydney and Jervis Bay. (John Turnbull)
It is a benthic species, found in semi-exposed rocky reefs, sparsely covered with bushy red algae in which the species is extremely well camouflaged. (Fishbase)
Behaviour
The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch. (Fishbase)
