Bluestripe pipe sex change?

[rssjsb]

So I've had what I believed to be a female bluestripe pipefish for about 3 years. At one point, I had a pair. The male had eggs several times, but eventually disappeared. The remaining female has been around, alone, fat and healthy for several years.

Anyway, she came out in the open this morning for some mysis and I noticed what looked like distinctive snout bumps. I may be imagining things, but I think I also noticed a flattening of the belly.

So do these guys change sex? I've searched around, but can't find anything online about this.

 

[namxas]

there have been some instances where SH have actually changed sex, confirmed by necropsy. i've never heard of a pipe changing, but i suppose it's possible.

 

[rssjsb]

Interesting. Thanks for the response.

I was pretty startled when I saw it. I'll see if I can get a pic.

 

[Elysia]

What color are the bumps? I haven't seen many bluestripes (likely between a dozen and 15 in person), but IME they all have bumps. Its just that the male's bumps are really apparent w/ the naked eye when you see the pipe in person (because they have those large colorful bumps) whereas the females have smaller, duller (practically transparent) bumps. Often times you don't even notice the female's bumps until you take a clear photo and enlarge it.

 

[rssjsb]

They're yellow - the same color as the snout. And they're pretty plainly visible.