Date:Thu 7/4/2024 7:00 PM
Happy Thursday, everyone, and to those who celebrate, happy fourth of July! Today's fish of the day is the yellowbanded pipefish!
The yellowbanded pipefish, also known by scientific name Dunckerocampus pessuliferus, and synonym Doryrhamphus pessuliferus, is a rather unknown pipefish, primarily understood by the populations kept in captivity as pets in the aquarium trade. In the wild their range stretches across the tropical west Pacific. Living within the Coral Triangle, this fish can be found from the Matebello islands and Western Australia, across the Philippines, they can be found living alone inshore reefs along sandy or muddy bottomed areas. They prefer areas with little pressure, so they can be found around 44m of depth, and although they are purely saltwater fish, they can be found along shallow estuaries.
The diet of the fish consists of microfauna: copepods and phytoplankton sound along the reef, although in captivity they are often fer brine shrimp to much success. When in the company of other fish, they have been found cleaning parasites off of one another. They can get as long as 19cm in length at their full adult age, and the bright striping of their body is designed to help hide them among the colorful coral reefs around them, and they are regularly fed on by larger fishes. Their lifespan is currently unknown, but within the aquarium habitat they can live for multiple years before dying.
As like other pipefish, who are related to seahorses, these fish contain a specialized breeding pouch. Males will brood the eggs in this pouch, which is under the truck, filtering aerated water to them throughout their gestation. During this time the female of the pair will bring back food for both of them, though never straying far, as a female and a male will bond for life, refusing to mate again after their partner dies.
Have a wonderful day, everyone!