Maximum length: 5 cm

Depth: 1 - 47 m

Usually found in pairs on aquatic plants, algae or debris,

where they hold on with their tails.

Photo 1 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi

 Maximum length: 6.5 cm

Depth: 1 - 20 m

As the name suggests, the genus Acentronura represents a group

of small seahorse-like pipefishes, i.e. a link between seahorses and pipefishes.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi

Maximum length: 16 cm

Depth: 1 - 5 m

Diurnal animals, found in small groups or in pairs on stony ground near the reef or in meadows.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi

 Maximum length: 11 cm

Depth: 5 - 30 m

In pairs in crevices and caves in the coral reef.

During egg-laying, the partners swim vertically, hooked by the tails.

Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt

 Maximum length: 16 cm

Depth: 3 - 10 m

Lives in the red sea on sand, rubble, corals, algae and gorgonians.

In monogamous pairs and in small groups.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt

Photo 3 Astrid: Hurghada Egypt

 Maximum length: 15 cm

Depth: 1 - 345 m

Very slender species with light-coloured horizontal stripes on the back and a long snout.

They can be found in various reef areas, algae zones and seagrass meadows.

Just like seahorses, male pipefishes are responsible for breeding.

Under the tail of the animal is the breast pocket.

Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean 

 Maximum length: 18 cm

Depth: 1 - 75 m

Free-swimming under overhangs and in deep caves.

Photo 1 Johnny: El Quesir Egypt

 Maximum length: 8 cm

Depth: 2 - 50 metres

Similar to seahorses, it is the male that carries the eggs.

They are normally always found in pairs as they are always mating.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi

Maximum length: 16 cm

Depth: Usually less than 25 m

White with broad red bands.

Lives in crevices and caves of coral reefs.

Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt

Photo 2 Astrid: Hurghada Egypt

 Maximum length: 18 cm

Depth: 1 - 10 metres

Lives in shallow water, often close to the coast, sometimes in large groups.

The male carries the eggs under his body until they hatch after a few weeks.

Photo 1 Johnny: Moalboal Philippines

Photo 2 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi

Maximum length: 17 cm

Depth: 3 - 45 m

This species is often confused with D.multiannulatus. However,

it has white transverse bands on a reddish background!

The body is orange, rusty brown to black with narrow yellow rings.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi

Maximum length: 15 cm

Depth: 1 - 25 m

Lives between algae-covered rocks or living corals of outer reefs and lagoons.

Photo 1 Astrid: Hurghada Egypt

Photo 2 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt

 Maximum length: 18 cm

 Depth: 3 - 25 metres

They are also known as moustached pipefish.

They grow up to 18 cm long, this one had a maximum of 4 cm.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi

 Maximum length: 30 cm

Depth: 1 - 17 m

Very variable colours.

Camouflages itself with numerous, multiply divided, leaf-like skin appendages

Their snout is long and pipette-like

Photo 1 Astrid: Bangka Island North Sulawesi.

Photo 2 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi

 Maximum length: 4.5 cm

Depth: 5 - 30 metres

It belongs to a very small species of pipefish that was only discovered in 2007.

They have no caudal fin, but can use their tail for grasping.

Photos 1 - 3 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi

Maximum length: 23 cm

Depth: 1 - 20 m

Was hidden very deep in a coral, difficult to photograph.

Trumpet-shaped snout, small mouth,

long thin snake-like body with transparent dorsal fin.

Master of camouflage, very difficult to recognise,

always swimming above the bottom through small holes in the reefs.

Photos 1 - 3 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean

 Maximum length: 35 cm

Depth: 4 - 30 m

This species lives in cooler waters.

The animals have a large number of leaf-shaped outgrowths that provide excellent camouflage.

They feed on shrimps, prawns and small crustaceans.

The somewhat larger specimens occasionally also eat larger crustaceans

such as porcelain crabs.

Large ragfish are exhibited in show aquariums all over the world.

They are bred in South Australia and the offspring are exported.

Razorfish kept in aquariums can live up to ten years.

Photo 1 Johnny: Barcelona Spain ( Aquarium )

 Maximum length: 40 cm

Depth: 2 - 25 metres

Also known as the tailless pipefish, it lives in bays and estuaries on sand or mud.

It often sits upright with its face in the current,

using the rear part of its body like an anchor to find a foothold in the strong current.

Variable colouring, from yellow to brown, red or black.

Photos 1 - 3 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi