Cosmocampus elucens (Poey, 1868)

Common Name and Classification

Cosmocampus elucens, commonly known as shortfin pipefish or Poey's pipefish, is a species of marine fish that belongs to the family Syngnathidae.

Geographic Distribution

This species is located in the western Atlantic Ocean, with populations found off the U.S. east coast, in Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, across the entire Caribbean Sea, and off the coast of Brazil.

Habitat and Depth Range

It inhabits seagrass and algae beds, most often at shallow depths, though individuals have been recorded as deep as 78 metres (256 ft).

Maximum Length

Members of this species can reach a maximum length of 15 centimetres (5.9 in).

Expected Diet

Like other pipefish, it is expected to feed on small crustaceans.

Reproduction Mode

This species is ovoviviparous: males carry the eggs and give birth to live young.