Syngnathus acus Linnaeus, 1758

Scientific Nomenclature and Body Shape

The greater pipefish (Syngnathus acus Linnaeus, 1758) has a long, segmented, armored body that is angular in cross-section, with a stiff overall appearance.

Size

Typical adult lengths range from 33 cm to 35 cm, with a reported maximum length of 47 cm, and individuals can reach up to 45 cm long.

Body Segment Characteristics

Each body segment is almost square, and the body feels rigid when handled.

Body Ring Appearance

The species has distinctive body rings; these rings are sandy brown, with darker bars between them across the body.

Body Coloration

Its overall body color can range from brown to green, marked with broad alternating light and dark bands along its length.

Head and Snout Features

It has a characteristic long snout with the mouth located at the end of the snout, and a slight hump on the top of the body just behind the eyes.

Geographical Distribution

The greater pipefish is distributed throughout the British Isles, and is regularly found in the Mediterranean Sea.

Habitat

It is common on southerly and westerly coasts across a variety of habitats, and is most often found among seaweeds and seagrass.