Pair of Rough Ghost Pipefish

Here's a pair of hairy ghost pipefish, hanging out underneath the Liberty Wreck:

Watching these two, you could see the larger one open and close the egg pouch periodically, but there didn't seem to be anything in there.

Sigma 150mm macro + Canon 500D

Cheers

James

Very cool critters. James.

Is it the ghost or robust pipefish? Or, is there a distinction I can use in the future for this? Either way I did not know there was a hairy version and hope to capture a shot of one.

Good pt Todd - I think these must be Robust.

Thanks guys.

Cheers

James

I have always differentiated ornate and robust GPF on the basis of how thick their caudal peduncle (the bit between the body and tail) is. Ornate GPF have long, thin, ornate ones. And Robust GPF, have short, thick, robust ones.

On that basis these are more like Ornates - but I think that they may be a third species.

Alex

Very cool James!

Thanks guys.

Here's a close-up of the smaller one - it's about 2.5" long:

Cheers

James

James, that's the Rough Ghostpipefish (Solenostomus paegnius). The hairy ghostpipefish REALLY is hairy. There is usually a lot of confusion between the 2. So much so that you can sell these pics as the hairy! LOL

Man you work fast... anyway even Roger Steene has made that error so you are in good company.

Thanks Drew - I'll edit the subject line.

Cheers

James