Family Syngnathidae - pipefishes

Pipefishes and seahorses are cosmopolitan in distribution throughout tropical and temperate seas. The males of these fishes has a special brood pouch to incubate the developing eggs deposited by the females; making the male appear to give birth.

Snubnose pipefish- Cosmocampus arctus

Remarks: A single specimen of this southern species has been collected in Humboldt Bay.

Identification: A pipefish with a short snout and only 14-15 bony rings in the trunk. A double row of spots along each side. Maximum length is around 11cm.

Range: Mazatlan, Mexico to Tomales Bay, California, with the single specimen from Humboldt Bay.

Bay pipefish- Syngnathus leptorhynchus

Remarks: One of the most abundant fish in the bay; residing within the eelgrass beds. These weak swimming fish mimic the eelgrass as it moves in the current. They pick at small invertebrates and larval organisms with a small tubular mouth.

Identification: Body long and slender, covered by bony rings, 17-22 in the trunk. Snout is tubular and moderate in length. Dorsal fin at midbody. Coloration tan and sometimes greenish. Length to 24cm.

Range: Alaska to southern Baja California.