How to Identify Syngnathidae

Syngnathidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Syngnathiformes, class . The family contains 64 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Syngnathidae Species

How to identify Corythoichthys schultzi Herald, 1953

Corythoichthys schultzi Herald, 1953

Corythoichthys schultzi Herald, 1953

Corythoichthys schultzi, or Schultz's pipefish, is an ovoviviparous Indo-Pacific…

How to identify Corythoichthys intestinalis (Ramsay, 1881)

Corythoichthys intestinalis (Ramsay, 1881)

Corythoichthys intestinalis (Ramsay, 1881)

Corythoichthys intestinalis, the scribbled pipefish, is a small Indo-Pacific mar…

How to identify Hippocampus ingens Girard, 1858

Hippocampus ingens Girard, 1858

Hippocampus ingens Girard, 1858

Hippocampus ingens (Pacific seahorse) is a large, CITES-listed threatened seahor…

How to identify Filicampus tigris (Castelnau, 1879)

Filicampus tigris (Castelnau, 1879)

Filicampus tigris (Castelnau, 1879)

The tiger pipefish (Filicampus tigris) is the only member of its genus, a marine…

How to identify Hippocampus comes Cantor, 1849

Hippocampus comes Cantor, 1849

Hippocampus comes Cantor, 1849

The tiger tail seahorse (Hippocampus comes) is a medium-sized seahorse defined b…

How to identify Hippocampus guttulatus Cuvier, 1829

Hippocampus guttulatus Cuvier, 1829

Hippocampus guttulatus Cuvier, 1829

Hippocampus guttulatus, the long-snouted seahorse, is a small fish found in temp…

How to identify Hippocampus trimaculatus Leach, 1814

Hippocampus trimaculatus Leach, 1814

Hippocampus trimaculatus Leach, 1814

Hippocampus trimaculatus is a vulnerable seahorse found in Asian and Australian …

How to identify Histiogamphelus cristatus (Macleay, 1881)

Histiogamphelus cristatus (Macleay, 1881)

Histiogamphelus cristatus (Macleay, 1881)

Histiogamphelus cristatus, or Macleay's crested pipefish, is a Sygnathidae marin…

How to identify Cosmocampus elucens (Poey, 1868)

Cosmocampus elucens (Poey, 1868)

Cosmocampus elucens (Poey, 1868)

Cosmocampus elucens, shortfin/Poey's pipefish, is a western Atlantic ovoviviparo…

How to identify Hippocampus bargibanti Whitley, 1970

Hippocampus bargibanti Whitley, 1970

Hippocampus bargibanti Whitley, 1970

Bargibant's pygmy seahorse is a tiny, well-camouflaged seahorse that lives on go…

How to identify Hippocampus hippocampus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Hippocampus hippocampus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Hippocampus hippocampus (Linnaeus, 1758)

This is Hippocampus hippocampus, the short-snouted seahorse, covering its descri…

How to identify Hippocampus jayakari Boulenger, 1900

Hippocampus jayakari Boulenger, 1900

Hippocampus jayakari Boulenger, 1900

Jayakar's seahorse (Hippocampus jayakari) is a Western Indian Ocean coastal syng…

Browse all 64 Syngnathidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Syngnathidae?

Syngnathidae animals belong to the Syngnathiformes order in the Animalia kingdom. The coronet, the crown-like spine structure on the head, is low and features five knobs. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Syngnathidae?

Syngnathidae is classified in the order Syngnathiformes, class , phylum Chordata. While its appearance can vary across individuals, the species typically has a flat body, sharp hook-shaped cheek and eye spines, a narrow head, and no nose spines.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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