Solenostomos paradoxus

Harlequin ghost pipefish

Taxon recognized by Animal Diversity Web Descriptions external link
IUCN Red List Status: NOT EVALUATED external link Showing: scientific names

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Table of Contents

Morphology

Physical Description

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
Animal Diversity Web external link
Copyright
©1995-2008, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors. Some rights reserved external link
Author
Amy Morton, University of Michigan
Editor
William Fink, University of Michigan
Source URL
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Citation
Morton, A. 2000. "Solenostomos paradoxus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 26, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Solenostomos_paradoxus.html. 

 

Solenostomus paradoxus possesses the elongate snout and laterally compressed body that are typical of all syngnathoid fishes. More specific to the solenostomids is a dermal skeleton composed of stellate plates, a head region that represents over one third of the total body length and the presence of pelvic fins, two separate dorsal fins, an anal fin and a large ventral fin. Solenostomus paradoxus is further distinguished by the presence of abdominal spinules, additional plates at the dorsal- and anal-fin bases and the presence of nasal lamellae filling the nasal cavity of males. There is no body color representative of Solenostomos paradoxus. Typical color patterns include dark red with yellow and orange splotches and yellow with lighter spots.

 

The Harlequin Ghost Pipefish is sexually dimorphic. Female Solenostomos paradoxus average 130 mm; males on average are 37% smaller. The main difference between males and females is the presence of a ventral brood pouch in females. This difference is most noticeable in the margins of the pelvic fins which are apposed in females and free in males (Wetzel and Wourms, 1995; Orr and Fritzsche, 1993; http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/fishfacts/fish/sparadox.htm).

 
"Solenostomos paradoxus". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/2926323". Accessed 22 Mar 2010.