About Stigmatopora nigra Kaup, 1856
Taxonomic Identification
Stigmatopora nigra (common name: wide-bodied pipefish) is a species of marine fish in the Syngnathidae family.
Geographical Range
It can be found in shallow waters, bays, and estuaries of southern Australia stretching from Shark Bay to Brisbane, as well as in Tasmania and New Zealand.
Habitat Preferences
It most often inhabits seagrass beds, algae beds, and bare sand areas.
Diet Composition
Its diet is made up of small crustaceans, specifically including copepods and amphipods.
Brooding Male Size
Brooding adult males of this species measure between 6.5 and 7 centimeters in length.
Reproductive Strategy
This species reproduces via ovoviviparity: males brood up to 25 eggs inside a pouch located below their tail, before giving birth to live young.
Lifespan and Reproductive Period
Stigmatopora nigra has a maximum recorded lifespan of 150 days, and individuals are able to reproduce year-round.
