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Orange Banded Pipefish
Dunckerocampus pessuliferus
The Orange-banded pipefish has alternating reddish-brown and yellow bands and a red caudal fin with a large central yellow spot. Their elongated snout has a tiny mouth that they use to suck up their prey. They can grow to a length of 6 inches.
Range & Habitat
Widespread in the eastern Indian Ocean and western central Pacific, inhabiting coral patches on sandy and muddy slopes.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Although listed as least concern, the Orange-banded Pipefish is under threat from ongoing coral habitat loss and degradation.
Diet
In the Wild – Feeds on zooplankton and actively cleans other fish of parasites.
At the Zoo – Microorganisms like brine shrimp, mysis, cyclops, daphnia and live artemia.
Life Span
In the Wild: 5-10 years
In Human Care: up to 5 years
In Human Care: up to 5 years
Fun Facts about the Orange Banded Pipefish
· They are also known as Yellow-banded pipefish.
· Pipefish are like seahorses…the males give birth!
· Adults form pairs that swim along the bottom around isolated coral patches.
- In their Australian range they are protected from the pet trade under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Sources
Atlas of Living Australia. (Ed.) Dunckerocampus pessuliferus Fowler, 1938. Retrieved March 18, 2021, from https://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:33feebff-4bb7-4115-82b8-21193926b384
Dunckerocampus pessuliferus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 18 Mar 2021, http://136.154.202.208/home/species/3180
Pollom, R. 2016. Dunckerocampus pessuliferus (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T65367059A115421785. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T65367059A67624145.en Downloaded on 18 March 2021.
Updated June 13, 2023
Location:
Aquariums
Location:
USS Antiquities Cave
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