Pipe fish? Sea Dragon?

[nbc]

Caught, took pics, and released while snorkeling in Anilao, Batangas Philippines last summer.

Had to release as I didnt have any battery operated air pumps with me during this dive trip.

Dont know if this is a pipe fish... or a less ornate sea dragon... but, if anyone out there knows, would appreciate some help in identifying.

Around 5 inches in length... can change colors. From blackish brown when frightened to the varied colors seen in the close up pic.

thanks,

nbc

 

[tetra-tag]

This appears to be Solenostomus paradoxus, the Harlequin Ghost Pipe-fish. I saw pictures of it elsewhere and sort of remembered the name, Google pulled up a bunch of links.

Looks very cool, but I think they are difficult, possibly illegal to keep in captivity.

http://www.reefimages.com/Pipefish/Pipefish3.htm

 

[seamonkey2]

not illegal, just very very difficult to keep in captivity.

man I wish people would stop saying its Illegal, without knowing, if you dont know, dont speculate.

Jose

 

[namxas]

nope, not illegal...as mentioned, nearly impossible to keep in captivity. i've heard a couple of tales about peeps keeping them for awhile, but nobody has really been able to crack the ghost pipefish mystery to the point where taking them from the ocean isn't simply signing a death warrant for these critters.

they require a large surface area, open lagoon-type setting with live seagrass and/or macro algae in which to hunt, and an abundance of live food such as ghost shrimp and pods to get them started eating.

for now, these lovelies are best kept in the ocean. kudos for releasing it.

 

[Elysia]

Ghost pipes are distant relatives of seadragons, seahorses, and pipefish -- not as closely related as the three are to one another, but closer than then they are to most any other fish. The ghost pipes differ in a significant way from the dragons, horses, and pipes, and that is the same way we all differ from them -- its the female that carries the fertilized eggs.
Just for future reference, the two species known as seadragons are only found in the waters around Oz.
And Amen to namxas's kudos -- its difficult to not covet such an interesting and beautiful creature, but you definately did the right thing.

 

[nbc]

Oh, you all don't know how much we wanted to keep this fish. haha.

But, having had difficulty before in keeping pygmy seahorses and dragon pipefish alive for more than a few months (because of lack of food sources)... it also wasn't that hard to let it go.

Besides, we go snorkeling quite often in the nice tropical waters around here... it is far more exciting to see rare fish like these in the open ocean... and just try taking good pictures instead.