Bellybar Pipefish

Interesting Info

• The bellybar pipefish is a pipefish species found exclusively in fresh, brackish and marine waters around Australia, primarily in Queensland.
• The species is known for its distinctive appearance, with a long, slender body that is usually a mottled brown or green colour and a distinctive “bellybar” of bright orange or yellow along its underside.
• Bellybar pipefish are typically found in seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and other shallow, sandy areas in coastal waters.
• Bellybar pipefish are carnivores, feeding primarily on small crustaceans such as copepods and amphipods.
• The species is known to be monogamous, with males and females forming pairs that remain together for extended periods.
• Estimates of lifespan are up to 5 years.
• Male bellybar pipefish carry and incubate the eggs until they hatch, which can take several weeks.
• Like other pipefish species, bellybar pipefish are closely related to seahorses and share many of the same unique adaptations, such as a prehensile tail that they use to hold onto seagrass or other objects in their environment.