Leptoichthys fistularius Kaup, 1853

Common Name and Family

Leptoichthys fistularius, commonly known as the brush-tailed pipefish, is a pipefish species that belongs to the family Syngnathidae.

Distribution and Habitat

It can be found off the coast of southern Australia, at shallow to intermediate depths, and it typically lives in seagrass beds.

Size

This is the largest known pipefish species, reaching a maximum total length of 63 cm (25 inches).

Reproduction

As with other pipefish, male brush-tailed pipefish carry fertilized eggs in a pouch located under their tail until the eggs hatch.

Genus Name Etymology

The genus name is derived from the Greek words leptos, which means "thin", and ichthys, which means "fish".

Species Name Etymology

The species' specific name refers to the similarity between this species' head and the heads of fluteheads, also called cornetfishes, of the family Fistulariidae.