Vardhan Patankar
Phalguni Ranjan
( Corythoichthys flavofasciatus )
You are likely to find them in lagoons and coral reefs at depths of 25 m.
They can grow up to a length of about 12 cm. Their body has yellow and brown stripes while their snout is red. As they age, the males are known to develop orange stripes with light blue spots, the males are also known to carry eggs in a small pouch under their tail. Like all other pipefish, they have a thin and long snake like body with rings forming a sort of body armour.
They feed on small invertebrates mainly copepods (small crustaceans).
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Solenostomus paradoxus )
They are found in protected coastal waters around coral reefs and rocky areas. Found in depths between 3-25 m.
A favourite for scuba divers, these species have a variable colouring from translucent to yellow, black, red and white the short lines and spots. This is an attempt to blend in with various corals and feather stars in which they reside. They also have numerous spikes all over the body and the tail and grow up to a maximum length of 12 cm. They have sort of a ghostly appearance, originating their name.
They feed on small invertebrates by sucking them into their mouth.
Vardhan Patankar
Vardhan Patankar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Solenostomus cyanopterus )
They are found in coastal reefs and weedy areas at depths between 2-25 m. You are likely to find them in areas where there is high abundance of coral and seagrass.
They have a background colour of reddish-brown like most lionfish and are marked with many think vertical bands or stripes.
They are bottom feeders, they put their snot down near the bottom while swimming forward to catch any invertebrates.
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Hippocampus histrix )
This species has often been spotted in deeper waters between 10-95 m. Usually along sponges, rocly reefs, corals and seagrass beds.
This seahorse species is quite small attaining a maximum length of about 17 cm. They have a thin and elongated body which is covered in thorns which is where their common name comes from. These thorns are sharp and are dark on the tips and are also found on the 'trunk', cheek and head. Their body colour varies depending on their surrounding environment and range from grey, cream to yellow and brown.
They feed on small crustaceans and planktonic organisms in the water.
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Corythoichthys intestinalis )
Usually found at depths between 20-70 m in and around sandy, rubble and rocky areas of coral reefs.
A rather small fish with a maximum length of only 16 cm, the scribbled pipefish with their long snout along with their tube shaped and snake like body make them a perfect representative of all pipefish. They have a white-grey like colour and are marked with a series of brown bars and wavy lines that are darker. Males of the species are the one that carry the eggs of their young in a pouch located just below the tail. Scribbled pipefish are usually spotted in pairs or in small groups.
Feed on various planktonic organisms in the water.
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus )
Inhabit lagoons, tide pools and outer slopes of coral reefs. They are usually spotted in crevices and holes.
The banded pipefish have a similar body shape to others of their kind. They can reach a maxmimum length of about 19 cm and are identifiable due to their alternating bands of pale and red to black coloured bands. The tail is red with a white margin, you are also able to see white spots in the center. Like other pipefish and seahourses, the male banded pipefish is able to carry eggs in a pouch that is under their tail. The female conveys the eggs to the male, who then cater to the young until they hatch.
They feed on small invertebrates mainly copepods (small crustaceans).
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Aeoliscus strigatus )
You can find them in small schools amongst the spines of sea urchins or the branches or corals between 2-40 m. They are found in seagrass beds where sea urchins are founds and atop coral reefs.
These fish are recognized because of their enigmatic body shape along with their movements in groups with all their heads facing downwards. The coral shrimpfish is a small fish which can grow up to a maximum length of 15 cm. Another stand out feature for these species is their long beak! In terms of their colour, they have a black band that runs through the whole body of the fish going over the eyes. Their body colour though, is highly variable depending on their environment. However their colour can range from green to yellow and light brown.
They feed on small invertebrates such as shrimp and other small crustaceans.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Hippocampus kuda )
Lives in shallow water environments up to 35 m in lagoons, estuaries and seagrass beds..
Growing up to about 30 cm in length, the spotted seahorse has a body colouration that varies between individuals. This can range from dark to yellow and cream with reddish spots or small dark spots. They have a long elongated body with a big head and snout. These species are known to perform a sort of courtship ritual before mating where they change their colour patterns and dance around a female, during which they also make a clicking sound.
They are omnivores and feed on planktonic organisms by sucking them into their mouth.