Microphis brachyurus
Collection Details
Specimens
Photos
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Records
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes)
Gasterosteiformes (Sticklebacks and relatives)
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes)
Microphis
Microphis brachyurus (Opossum Pipefish)
Description
This species account was compiled from
Composite (multiple sources) (McEachran, J.D. and J.D. Fechhelm. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. University of Texas Press, Austin.)
and processed using AI-assisted text extraction.
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Characters
Slender and elongate body; elongate, slender snout; low mid-dorsal snout ridge; head length 14.9% to 21.7% of SL; snout length 50% to 66.7% of head length; snout depth 7.6% to 14.7% of snout length; body depth at anal ring 11.6% to 20.8% of head length; pectoral fin with 17 to 23 rays; dorsal fin extends over 1.5 to 3.5 trunk rings and 4 to 7.25 tail rings, with 40 to 47 rays; anal fin with 4 rays; caudal fin with 9 rays; trunk rings 18 to 20; tail rings 22 to 25; principal body ridges well developed with single spine at each ring; superior trunk and tail ridges discontinuous near dorsal fin insertion; inferior trunk ridge terminates at anal ring; lateral tail ridge ends below dorsal fin base; lateral trunk ridge confluent with inferior tail ridge; brood pouch originates below second or third trunk ring and extends to last trunk ring; pouch plates well developed
Tan to dark brown, plain, mottled, or with indistinct dark stripe above lateral trunk ridge
Distribution
Western Atlantic from New Jersey to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean Sea
In the Gulf of Mexico, most common off Mexico
Habitat Associations
Shallow water; also found in freshwater
Biology
Maximum known size is 194 mm SL
Occurs in relatively shallow (25-150 cm), still to slow-flowing water (Ref. 6028). Inhabits freshwater streams, rivers and estuaries. Juveniles and subadults are usually found in estuaries while adults are found upstream in freshwater areas. Feeds on worms, crustaceans and zooplankton. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Not seen in markets (Ref. 12693)
Reproductive mode: dioecism; fertilization: in brood pouch or similar structure; bearers (external brooders); parental care: paternal. Female deposits eggs on the ventral surface of the male trunk's or tail , where they are incubated for several weeks. Males may be brooding at 12 cm SL (Ref. 5316).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2019-01-17. Resilience: High (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Phylogeny and Morphologically Similar Fishes
Distinguished from other species of the family by the combination of characters described
Commercial or Environmental Importance
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial.
References
Bohlke and Chaplin 1968
Hoese and Moore 1977
Dawson 1982
C. R. Robins et al. 1986
Boschung 1992
Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen (1966) Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p.
Allen, G.R. (1991) Field guide to the freshwater fishes of New Guinea. Publication, no. 9. 268 p. Christensen Research Institute, Madang, Papua New Guinea.
Dawson, C.E. (1986) Syngnathidae. p. 445-458. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Dawson, C.E. (1985) Indo-Pacific pipefishes (Red Sea to the Americas). The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Ocean Springs, Mississippi, USA.
Rainboth, W.J. (1996) Fishes of the Cambodian Mekong. FAO species identification field guide for fishery purposes. FAO, Rome, 265 p.
Fricke, R., M. Kulbicki and L. Wantiez (2011) Checklist of the fishes of New Caledonia, and their distribution in the Southwest Pacific Ocean (Pisces). Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde A, Neue Serie 4:341-463.
Comments On Microphis brachyurus