Solenostomus paradoxus

The ornate ghost pipefish or harlequin ghost pipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus, is a false pipefish of the family Solenostomidae. The species name comes from the Greek paradoxos, referring to this fish's unusual external features. Ornate ghost pipefish are found in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean along reef edges prone to strong currents from the Red Sea to Tonga.[2] They reach a maximum length of 12 cm. They vary in color from red or yellow to black and are almost transparent. Although relatively common, ornate ghost pipefish are very well-camouflaged and difficult to find.[3] It occurs either as solitary individuals or in pairs, among the branches of gorgonians, in floating weeds, or crinoids where the feed on mysids and small benthic shrimp.[2]

Solenostomus paradoxus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Syngnathiformes
Family:	Solenostomidae
Genus:	Solenostomus
Species:	S. paradoxus
Binomial name
Solenostomus paradoxus (Pallas, 1770)
Synonyms
Fistularia paradoxa Pallas, 1770 Solenostomatichthys paradoxus (Pallas, 1770)

The IUCN conservation status of Solenostomus paradoxus has been evaluated as "Least Concern".[1]