Microphis brachyurus (Bleeker, 1854)
Short-tailed pipefish

Dagum-dagum Kulikog sa buaya, 

Microphis brachyurus
photo by Pöllabauer, C.

 Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
 Max. size:  22 cm SL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  demersal; depth range 0 - 5 m, anadromous
 Distribution:  Asia and Oceania: Sri Lanka, southern India, Nicobar Islands and eastward to Japan and the Society Islands Records from Puerto Rico and USA need confirmation. Africa: east coast from Kenya south to Natal area. Also Madagascar and Mauritius (Ref. 7248). Africa: Côte d'Ivoire (Ref. 272). Western Atlantic: Atlantic coast of Florida, Bahamas, northern and southern Gulf of Mexico, Antilles, central and south American coasts to Brazil (Ref. 26938).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 37-54; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-4
 Biology:  Occurs in relatively shallow (25-150 cm), still to slow-flowing water (Ref. 6028). Inhabits freshwater streams, rivers and estuaries. Juveniles and subadults are usually found in estuaries while adults are found upstream in freshwater areas. Feeds on worms, crustaceans and zooplankton. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Not seen in markets (Ref. 12693)
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:  Specimens were collected from Calbiga-a creek, Lagu Lagu creek, and Ambacan River at Baybay, Leyte in 1993 (Ref. 7223). Museum: west bay of Laguna de Bay, 1984, LRS-84138 (Ref. 13460). Also Ref. 7050, 2847.

 Entered by: Binohlan, Crispina B. - 06.03.91
 Modified by: Valdestamon, Roxanne Rei - 17.04.15
 Checked by: Luna, Susan M. - 20.07.94

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