Upside-down pipefish (Heraldia nocturna)

Scientific name: Heraldia nocturna Paxton, 1975

The Upside-down pipefish (Heraldia nocturna) is a marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. Native range: Eastern Indian Ocean, southern Australia, from Geographe Bay, Western Australia to Terrigal, New South Wales.

Biology

Adults occur in rocky reefs. Appear to feed nocturnally, and usually found swimming upside down in caves or under ledges during the day. Ovoviviparous. Males carry the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. Males may be brooding at 6.3 cm SL.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Heraldia nocturna
Family
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)
Order
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
9.2
Depth range
2–15 m (7–49 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 15 m
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Eastern Indian Ocean: southern Australia, from Geographe Bay, Western Australia to Terrigal, New South Wales.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
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.

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