Bellybarred pipefish (Hippichthys spicifer)

Scientific name: Hippichthys spicifer R?ppell, 1838

The Bellybarred pipefish (Hippichthys spicifer) is a freshwater fish of the family Syngnathidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–28°C (73–82°F).

Bellybarred pipefish care at a glance

Temperature: 23–28°C (73–82°F)

Biology

Adults occur in shallow coastal and estuarine waters, sometimes among mangroves. Also found regularly in freshwater in the lower reaches of rivers and tidal creeks. Ovoviviparous. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. Males maybe brooding at about 9.8 SL.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Hippichthys spicifer
Family: Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)
Order: Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 18.0
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 7.5 - 8.2; dH range: 20 - 30 demersal; amphidromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Sri Lanka and Samoa. Recorded upstream in freshwater of the Mekong, but this record may represent another species of this genus or another genus among the 15 genera of pipefishes expected in Mekong estuary and plume.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026