About Solenostomus halimeda Orr, Fritzsche & Randall, 2002
Common Name and Size
Solenostomus halimeda, commonly called the Halimeda ghost pipefish, reaches a maximum length of 6.5 cm (2.6 in), making it the smallest known ghost pipefish species.
Taxonomic Relations
It is an uncommon species related to pipefishes and seahorses.
Body Coloration
Its body is most frequently green, but may also be red or match any other color of the algae or coral it hides among.
Cryptic Appearance
As a cryptic species, it strongly resembles the macroalga Halimeda in appearance.
Head Morphology
This species can be distinguished by its large head, which is roughly the same length as the rest of its body.
Fin Structure
Its caudal fin is small, and matches the dorsal and pectoral fins in both size and shape.
Geographical Range
Solenostomus halimeda inhabits the Indian Ocean and Western Indo-Pacific, with a range extending from the Maldives to the Marshall Islands.
Habitat and Depth Range
It is a reef-associated species that lives at depths up to 23 m (75 ft).
