Dunckerocampus pessuliferus Fowler, 1938

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

Dunckerocampus pessuliferus, commonly known as the yellowbanded pipefish, is sometimes also classified under the name Doryrhamphus pessuliferus. It is a species of marine fish that belongs to the family Syngnathidae.

Geographic Range

This is a coastal species that inhabits waters around the Coral Triangle, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and northwestern Australia.

Habitat and Depth Range

It lives in coral patches found on sandy and muddy slopes, at depths ranging from 15 to 44 metres, or 49 to 144 ft.

Size

Individuals of this species can grow up to 16 centimetres, or 6.3 inches, in length.

Diet

Yellowbanded pipefish are active cleaner fish that feed on parasitic crustaceans that grow on other fishes.

Adult Behavior

Adult fish of this species form pairs, and are most often observed swimming along the seafloor around large isolated coral heads on muddy slopes.

Reproduction

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

Human Interactions and Conservation

Individuals of this species occasionally enter the aquarium trade, and the species is protected in Australia under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.