Family : Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) , subfamily: Syngnathinae
Order : Syngnathiformes  (pipefishes and seahorses)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Belly pipefish
Fish Name : Hippichthys heptagonus
Max size : 15.0 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 5316)
Environment : demersal
Climate : tropical; 29°N - 12°S
Global Importance : fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Africa, Asia and Oceania: South Africa and Kenya to the Solomon Islands and in some Philippine lakes.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-30. Preserved color dusky greenish gray; underside of head whitish; ventral keel and caudal fin blackish. Body: trunk heptagonal; very long tail 4-sided; covered with finely-sculptured plates with fine ridges; knife-like keel on the belly made up of sculptured plates. Head conical posteriorly; large elongate snout very narrow with concave plates; operculum with prominent median longitudinal keel; nape with a median crest. Dorsal fin only at the first 6 rings of tail; pectoral and caudal fins small.
Biology : Common in the lower reaches of rivers and streams, and in estuarine habitats. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205, 44894). Occurs in mangrove estuaries and tidal creeks (Ref. 44894). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Male matures at 7.5-8.0 cm SL
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Dawson, C.E.. 1985. (Ref. 5316)

India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : freshwater
Uses : no uses