HomeFreshwater aquarium fishOther freshwater fishBelly pipefish Belly pipefish (Hippichthys heptagonus) Scientific name: Hippichthys heptagonus Bleeker, 1849 The Belly pipefish (Hippichthys heptagonus) is a freshwater fish of the family Syngnathidae. Native range: Africa, Asia and Oceania, South Africa and Kenya to the Solomon Islands and in some Philippine lakes. BiologyCommon in the lower reaches of rivers and streams, and in estuarine habitats. Ovoviviparous. Occurs in mangrove estuaries and tidal creeks. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. Male matures at 7.5-8.0 cm SL.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameHippichthys heptagonusFamilySyngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)OrderSyngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length15.0EnvironmentFreshwater; brackish; demersalClimateTropicalDistributionAfrica, Asia and Oceania: South Africa and Kenya to the Solomon Islands and in some Philippine lakes.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More other freshwater fishLined soleAchirus lineatusPumpkinseedLepomis gibbosusShort-tailed pipefishMicrophis brachyurus brachyurusFinescale tigerfishDatnioides microlepisSouth American lungfishLepidosiren paradoxaFreshwater garfishXenentodon cancilaSee all other freshwater fish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026