Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and seahorses) >
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) > Syngnathinae
Etymology: Microphis: Greek, mikros = small + greek, ophis = serpent (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; pH range: 7.5 - 8.2; dH range: 20 - 30. Tropical; 22°C - 26°C (Ref. 12468), preferred ?
Africa: Dakar, Senegal to the vicinity of Ambrizette, Angola (Ref. 4127).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 20.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4509)
Short description
Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal
spines
(total): 0;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 41-51;
Anal
spines: 0;
Anal
soft rays: 2 - 3. Diagnosis: extremely elongate; tubular snout; tail shorter than head and trunk; body encased by bony plates or rings; 19-21 bony rings before, 22-24 behind, anus; anal and caudal fins present; dorsal fin beginning on trunk, extending mainly over tail; brood pouch of males on underside of trunk (Ref. 57226).
Occurs in coastal rivers, streams and estuaries (Ref. 4127). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Eggs are attached to a kind of brood pouch, formed by two skin folds on the belly of the male (Ref. 13371).
Dawson, C.E., 1986. Syngnathidae. p. 281-287. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 4127)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
More information
Age/SizeGrowthLength-weightLength-lengthLength-frequenciesMorphometricsMorphologyLarvaeLarval dynamicsRecruitmentAbundance
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingMass conversion
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