Northern Pipefish
Sygnathus fuscus
Physical: Pipefish have a darkened gray-green body color with a non-distinctive mottled pattern. They have 36-39 dorsal rays, used to differentiate closely related species. The average length of Pipefish is 6 to 8 inches.
Habitat: S. fuscus range from the St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, and shelter in shallow waters and sea grass beds in the bay.
Feeding: Pipefish mostly feed on tiny crustaceans, but may also feed on fish eggs, very small juvenile fish, and other small aquatic animals.
Breeding: Pipefish are related to seahorse. The young are carried by the males in a specialized brood pouch. Females deposit the eggs in the male’s pouch, where they are fertilized and protected until they hatch.
