Seagrass fish

Anyone can help me ID this one?

Spotted in a shallow seagrass area in Indonesia.

I think it's a pipefish, but can't find a positive match in the books I have at home...

My feeling is that it is a Double-ended Pipefish. But I don't have any books here with me.

Alex

According to Kuiter's and Debelius's new book "World Atlas of Marine Fishes" it is a 'Sygnathoides biaculeatus', part of the pipehorses... can get as long as 30cm. anyone knows the common name?

great pic and find... makes me want to look around here if we have them. (in yap)

melody

I think Alex is correct (though I was originally thinking Sculptured pipefish). Here's a link to some photos of double ended pipefish (bottom of the page) that looks like a close relatives:

http://www.reefimages.com/Pipefish/Pipefish5.htm

Marli

'Sygnathoides biaculeatus'= Double-ended pipefish

However, Lieske and Myers Coral Reef Fishes has a Double-ended pipefish which is altogether different:

Trachyramphus bicoarctatus. Those darn common names.

Marli

Thanks Marli. These photos look really close to what I've seen, right down to the egg clusters on the underside...

Guess it's time to update my library