HomeMarine aquarium fishSeahorses & pipefishAlligator pipefish Alligator pipefish (Syngnathoides biaculeatus) Scientific name: Syngnathoides biaculeatus Bloch, 1785 The Alligator pipefish (Syngnathoides biaculeatus) is a marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea and Knysna, South Africa to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to New South Wales. BiologyOccur in protected coastal shallows over or among algae, seagrasses, or floating weeds. Juveniles occasionally found near the surface. Ovoviviparous. The males carry the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. Used in Chinese medicine to extract Hailong, one of the important drugs. Has been reared in captivity.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameSyngnathoides biaculeatusFamilySyngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)OrderSyngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length29.0EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; non-migratoryClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-Pacific: Red Sea and Knysna, South Africa to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to New South Wales.Conservation status (IUCN)Data deficient (DD)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: public aquariumsResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming annual Fec More seahorses & pipefishSchultz's pipefishCorythoichthys schultziScribbled pipefishCorythoichthys intestinalisMessmate pipefishCorythoichthys haematopterusThorny seahorseHippocampus histrixTiger tail seahorseHippocampus comesBarbour's seahorseHippocampus barbouriSee all seahorses & pipefish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026