Choeroichthys brachysoma (Bleeker, 1855)
Short-bodied pipefish
Dagum-dagum
photo by Johnson, S.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Nerophinae
Max. size:  7 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 25 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Society Islands, north to the Philippines and Guam, south to northern Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-26; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Dark brown with parallel of small black spots in series along trunk, and some white speckles (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by 10 caudal rays; rings 14 - 18 + 17 - 20; continuous superior trunk and tail ridges; inferior trunk ridge ends on anal ring; lateral trunk ridge confluent with inferior tail ridge; no keels in scutella; length of snout 1.8-2.4 in head length; depth of snout 3.8-5.8 in snout length; head length 4.1-5.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occur on the continental shelf (Ref. 75154). Found in tide pool, seagrass, and coral reef areas. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The males carry the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Males may be brooding at 3.5-4.0 cm SL (Ref. 5316). Also found in lagoons and seaward reefs (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 February 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Also Ref. 33390, 90102.


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