Family : Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) , subfamily: Syngnathinae
Order : Syngnathiformes  (pipefishes and seahorses)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Bellybarred pipefish
Fish Name : Hippichthys spicifer
Max size : 18.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 12693)
Environment : demersal; amphidromous; pH range: 7.5 - 8.19999980926514; dH range: 20 - 30
Climate : tropical; 23 - 28°C; 33°N - 15°S
Global Importance : fisheries: of no interest
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Sri Lanka and Samoa (Ref. 4127). Recorded upstream in freshwater of the Mekong, but this record may represent another species of this genus or another genus among the 15 genera of pipefishes expected in Mekong estuary and plume (Ref. 12693).
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-30. Brownish, mottled or with prominent dark bars crossing lower half of side and venter of trunk; bars absent or obscured by dark ground color in some adults; dorsal rays without rows of distinct brown spots (Ref. 4281).
Biology : Adults occur in shallow coastal and estuarine waters, sometimes among mangroves. Also found regularly in freshwater in the lower reaches of rivers (Ref. 4967, 44894). Also inhabit tidal creeks (Ref. 44894). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Males maybe brooding at about 9.8 SL
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Dawson, C.E.. 1985. (Ref. 5316)

India country information
Common Names : Bellybarred pipefish
Status : native
Salinity : brackish, marine
Uses : no uses