Biology:Solenostomus

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Short description: Genus of fishes

Solenostomus
Temporal range: 55.8–0 Ma
Eocene to Present[1]
Ornate Ghost Pipefish.jpg
Two Solenostomus paradoxus specimens
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Syngnathiformes
Superfamily: Syngnathoidea
Family: Solenostomidae
Bonaparte, 1846
Genus: Solenostomus
Lacépède, 1803
Type species
Fistularia paradoxa
Pallas,, 1770
Species

See text

Synonyms

Solenostomatichthys Bleeker, 1874

Solenostomus, also known as the ghost pipefishes, false pipefishes or tubemouth fishes, is a genus of fishes in the order Syngnathiformes. Solenostomus is the only genus in the family Solenostomidae, and includes six currently recognized species.[2][3] Ghost pipefishes are related to pipefishes and seahorses. They are found in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific.[4]

The animals, none of which are longer than 17 centimetres (6.7 in), float near motionlessly, with the mouth facing downwards, around a background that makes them nearly impossible to see. They feed on tiny crustaceans, sucked inside through their long snout. They live in open waters except during breeding, when they find a coral reef or muddy bottom, changing color and shape to minimize visibility.[4]

In many respects, they are similar to the pipefishes, but can be distinguished by the presence of pelvic fins, a prominent, spiny, dorsal fin, and star-shaped plates on the skin. Unlike true pipefish, female ghostpipefishes use their enlarged pelvic fins to brood their eggs until they hatch.[4]

thumb|left|Ornate ghostpipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus.

Species

References

  1. Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera". Bulletins of American Paleontology 364: 560. http://strata.ummp.lsa.umich.edu/jack/showgenera.php?taxon=611&rank=class. Retrieved 8 January 2008. 
  2. Orr, J.W. and R.A. Fritzsche. 1993. Revision of the ghost pipefishes, family Solenostomidae (Teleostei: Syngnathoidei). Copeia 1993(1): 168-182.
  3. Family Solenostomidae [1] FishBase. Accessed 1 February 2015.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Orr, J.W.; Pietsch, T.W. (1998). Paxton, J.R.. ed. Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 169. ISBN 0-12-547665-5. 

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q264195 entry