Robust Ghostpipefish

Solenostomus cyanopterus

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Syngnathiformes
Family: Solenostomidae
Genus: Solenostomus
Species: Solenostomus cyanopterus

The robust ghostpipefish (Solenostomus cyanopterus) is a leaf-like ghostpipefish that drifts in the surge looking exactly like a fragment of seagrass or algae. Its colour varies from green and yellow to brown, red or nearly black, matching its surroundings.

It can reach about 15-17 cm, making it one of the larger ghostpipefish. It is often found in pairs hovering head-down near seagrass, algae or sand, and it feeds by sucking up tiny shrimps. Females brood the eggs in a pouch formed by their large, joined pelvic fins.

The robust ghostpipefish occurs throughout the Indo-West Pacific, including the Philippines, where it is commonly seen on sandy and seagrass areas and is easily mistaken for a drifting leaf.