HomeFreshwater aquarium fishOther freshwater fishFreshwater pipefish Freshwater pipefish (Microphis fluviatilis) Scientific name: Microphis fluviatilis Peters, 1852 The Freshwater pipefish (Microphis fluviatilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Syngnathidae. Native range: Africa, Sabaki River, Kenya to Coffee Bay, South Africa; also Madagascar. Reported from Zimbabwe. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 60-69; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 4Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameMicrophis fluviatilisFamilySyngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)OrderSyngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length21.0EnvironmentMarine; freshwater; brackish; demersalClimateTropicalDistributionAfrica: Sabaki River, Kenya to Coffee Bay, South Africa; also Madagascar. Reported from Zimbabwe.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More other freshwater fishSouth American lungfishLepidosiren paradoxaLined soleAchirus lineatusPumpkinseedLepomis gibbosusShort-tailed pipefishMicrophis brachyurus brachyurusFinescale tigerfishDatnioides microlepisFreshwater 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