Scribbled pipefish

Corythoichthys intestinalis, known commonly as the scribbled pipefish, is a species of marine fish in the family Syngnathidae.^[3] Other common names used include banded pipefish, Australian banded pipefish, Australian messmate pipefish and messmate pipefish.^[2]

Scribbled pipefish
Two specimens on Heron Reef, Queensland, Australia
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Syngnathiformes
Family:	Syngnathidae
Genus:	Corythoichthys
Species:	C. intestinalis
Binomial name
Corythoichthys intestinalis (E. P. Ramsay, 1881)
Synonyms[2]
Syngnatus intestinalis Ramsay, 1881

The Scribbled pipefish is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region.^[2]

The Scribbled pipefish is a small fish and can reach a maximum size of 16 centimetres (6.3 in) total length.^[2]

Biology

Adults occur in shallow sandy or mixed sand, rubble, or coral areas of reef flats and lagoons, also sometimes on seaward reefs,^[4] to depths of 20–68 metres (66–223 ft).^[2] The Scribbled pipefish is ovoviviparous.^[5] The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail.^[5]