HomeFreshwater aquarium fishOther freshwater fishRiver pipefish River pipefish (Syngnathus watermeyeri) Scientific name: Syngnathus watermeyeri Smith, 1963 The River pipefish (Syngnathus watermeyeri) is a brackish-water fish of the family Syngnathidae. Native range: Africa, Known only from areas of tidal influence within the Kariega, Kasouga and Bushmans Rivers, South Africa. BiologyOccurs in rivers with tidal influence. Found in association with submerged aquatic macrophytes, primarily the eelgrass Zostera capensis. Sympatric with Syngnathus acus in the eelgrass beds. Ovoviviparous. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameSyngnathus watermeyeriFamilySyngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)OrderSyngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length13.0EnvironmentBrackish; demersalClimateTemperateDistributionAfrica: Known only from areas of tidal influence within the Kariega, Kasouga and Bushmans Rivers, South Africa.Conservation status (IUCN)Critically Endangered (CR) (B1ab(i,ii,iii);C2a(i))Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: 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