Corythoichthys benedetto

Corythoichthys benedetto, commonly known as Benedetto's pipefish, is a species of marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. It inhabits the Indo-West Pacific, near Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.^[1] It is found on algae-covered rocky surfaces and gorgonian sea fans at depths of 5 to 20 metres (16 to 66 ft), where it can grow to lengths of around 7 centimetres (2.8 in).^[2] It is usually found alone, although it can be found in groups of up to four individuals. This species is ovoviviparous, with males brooding when they are at lengths of 5 to 5.5 centimetres (2.0 to 2.2 in).^[2] The specific name and common name honour the late Italian prime minister Benedetto Craxi (1934-2000).^[3]

Corythoichthys benedetto
Raja Ampat islands, West Papua, Indonesia, December 2016.
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Syngnathiformes
Family:	Syngnathidae
Genus:	Corythoichthys
Species:	C. benedetto
Binomial name
Corythoichthys benedetto Allen & Erdmann, 2008

Description

Corythoichthys benedetto grows up to lengths of 7 centimetres (2.8 in).^[2] It may be identified by its body pattern of 12 thin white bars along the length of its body, each preceded by a thick red bar. These bars may be punctuated by variable-sized white ocelli.^[4]