Messmate pipefish
The messmate pipefish (Corythoichthys haematopterus) is a species of marine fish in the family Syngnathidae. It is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, from the eastern coast of Africa to the Vanuatu Islands. This species can reach a length of 19.8 cm.[2] It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade where it is known as the dragonfaced pipefish.[3] Other common names are bloodspot pipefish, reef pipefish, reeftop pipefish and yellow-streaked pipefish.[1]
Messmate pipefish | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Syngnathiformes |
Family: | Syngnathidae |
Genus: | Corythoichthys |
Species: | C. haematopterus |
Binomial name | |
Corythoichthys haematopterus (Bleeker, 1851) | |
Synonyms[2] | |
The messmate pipefish exhibits biofluorescence, that is, when illuminated by blue or ultraviolet light, it re-emits it as yellow, and appears differently than under white light illumination. Biofluorescence may assist in intraspecific communication and camouflage.[4]
References
- Gillespie, K.; Pollom, R. (2016). "Corythoichthys haematopterus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T46102624A46665234. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T46102624A46665234.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2018). "Corythoichthys haematopterus" in FishBase. February 2018 version.
- Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Reef Aquariums: Dragonface Pipefish. Liveaquaria.com. Retrieved on 2016-12-06.
- Sparks, John S.; Schelly, Robert C.; Smith, W. Leo; Davis, Matthew P.; Tchernov, Dan; Pieribone, Vincent A.; Gruber, David F. (2014). "The Covert World of Fish Biofluorescence: A Phylogenetically Widespread and Phenotypically Variable Phenomenon". PLOS ONE. 9 (1): e83259. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...983259S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0083259. PMC 3885428. PMID 24421880.
External links
![](../I/Commons-logo.svg.png.webp)
- http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217991
- Photos of Messmate pipefish on Sealife Collection