Halicampus brocki

Halicampus brocki, the tasselled pipefish, or Brock's pipefish, is a species of marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific, from southern Japan, Guam and the Marshall Islands to the central east and west coasts of Australia.^[1] It lives on coral and rocky reefs with algae, to depths of 45 metres (148 ft).^[2] It can grow to lengths of 12 centimetres (4.7 in), and is expected to feed on small crustaceans, similar to other pipefish.^[1] This species is ovoviviparous, with males carrying eggs and giving birth to live young.^[2]

Tasselled pipefish
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Syngnathiformes
Family:	Syngnathidae
Genus:	Halicampus
Species:	H. brocki
Binomial name
Halicampus brocki Herald, 1953
Synonyms[1]
Micrognathus brocki Herald, 1953

Etymology

The specific name honours Vernon E. Brock who was the Director of the Fish and Game Department in Honolulu.^[3]

Identification

This species can be identified by its slender body, long, branched filaments on the head, and short skin flaps on the body. It is whitish, yellowish, or pale brown, often with brown bars on the snout and pale bars on the body.^[4]