SYNGNATHIDAE


Doryrhamphus (Dunckerocampus) multiannulatus
(photo by Mark Strickland)


Doryrhamphus (Dunckerocampus) multiannulatus
(Regan, 1903)
Many-banded Pipefish

D 20-23; A 4; P1 18-22.

Trunk rings 16; tail rings 19-20, first trunk ring much longer than second. Superior trunk and tail ridges discontinuous; inferior trunk ridge ending on anal ring; lateral trunk ridge confluent with inferior tail ridge. Snout without rows of dorsolateral spinules; dermal flaps absent. Pectoral fins typically emarginated; caudal fin large, typically with 10 rays. Membranous pouch folds absent in brooding males. Color: snout banded or with dark lateral stripe; usually with 4-6 dark bands crossing opercle, and with 18-47 bands on tail. Size: maximum length about 20 cm. Distribution: Indian Ocean, from Red Sea and Sodwana Bay, South Africa to the Andaman Sea and western Sumatra. Remarks: common among coral and in reef caves and crevices within depth range of 3-45 m; usually found in pairs. Nearly always seen swimming upside down against ceiling of caves.