Pipefish

About the Pipefish

Close relatives of seahorses with the same male-pregnancy system. They look like straightened-out seahorses. Over 200 species exist. Some species have reversed sex roles where females compete for males. Males carry eggs on their belly or in a brood pouch. They are found in seagrass, coral, and estuaries. They are slow swimmers that rely on camouflage. They can move each eye independently. They are important indicators of coastal ecosystem health. They are dried and sold in traditional Chinese medicine alongside seahorses.