Solenostomus | |
---|---|
Two Solenostomus paradoxus specimens | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Syngnathiformes |
Superfamily: | Syngnathoidea |
Family: |
Solenostomidae Bonaparte, 1846 |
Genus: |
Solenostomus Lacépède, 1803 |
Type species | |
Fistularia paradoxa
Pallas,, 1770
| |
Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms | |
Solenostomatichthys Bleeker, 1874 |
Solenostomus, also known as the ghost pipefishes, false pipefishes or tubemouth fishes, is a genus of fishes in the order Syngnathiformes. Solenostomus is the only genus in the family Solenostomidae, and includes six currently recognized species. [2] [3] Ghost pipefishes are related to pipefishes and seahorses. They are found in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. [4]
The animals, none of which are longer than 17 centimetres (6.7 in), float near motionlessly, with the mouth facing downwards, around a background that makes them nearly impossible to see. They feed on tiny crustaceans, sucked inside through their long snout. They live in open waters except during breeding, when they find a coral reef or muddy bottom, changing color and shape to minimize visibility. [4]
In many respects, they are similar to the pipefishes, but can be distinguished by the presence of pelvic fins, a prominent, spiny, dorsal fin, and star-shaped plates on the skin. Unlike true pipefish, female ghostpipefishes use their enlarged pelvic fins to brood their eggs until they hatch. [4]
Two fossil ghost pipefish genera, Calamostoma and Solenorhynchus, are known from the Eocene of Italy. These are placed in their own extinct family, Solenorhynchinae. [5]
Solenostomus | |
---|---|
Two Solenostomus paradoxus specimens | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Syngnathiformes |
Superfamily: | Syngnathoidea |
Family: |
Solenostomidae Bonaparte, 1846 |
Genus: |
Solenostomus Lacépède, 1803 |
Type species | |
Fistularia paradoxa
Pallas,, 1770
| |
Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms | |
Solenostomatichthys Bleeker, 1874 |
Solenostomus, also known as the ghost pipefishes, false pipefishes or tubemouth fishes, is a genus of fishes in the order Syngnathiformes. Solenostomus is the only genus in the family Solenostomidae, and includes six currently recognized species. [2] [3] Ghost pipefishes are related to pipefishes and seahorses. They are found in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. [4]
The animals, none of which are longer than 17 centimetres (6.7 in), float near motionlessly, with the mouth facing downwards, around a background that makes them nearly impossible to see. They feed on tiny crustaceans, sucked inside through their long snout. They live in open waters except during breeding, when they find a coral reef or muddy bottom, changing color and shape to minimize visibility. [4]
In many respects, they are similar to the pipefishes, but can be distinguished by the presence of pelvic fins, a prominent, spiny, dorsal fin, and star-shaped plates on the skin. Unlike true pipefish, female ghostpipefishes use their enlarged pelvic fins to brood their eggs until they hatch. [4]
Two fossil ghost pipefish genera, Calamostoma and Solenorhynchus, are known from the Eocene of Italy. These are placed in their own extinct family, Solenorhynchinae. [5]