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Redbanded Pipefish Corythoichthys amplexus Dawson & Randall 1975
[CAAB 37 282047]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

The Redbanded Pipefish is a secretive species that seeks refuge in caves and crevices on coral reefs, often aggregating in small groups near cave entrances.

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Widespread in the tropical Indo-west Pacific; East Africa to Samoa, northern Australia, north to the Ryukus, Japan; inhabits inshore coral reefs or reef edges, usually in caves and crevices to 30 m.

Size:

Reaches 95 mm TL.

Food and feeding:

Preys upon small crustaceans.

Reproduction and early life history:

Reproduction: Ovoviviparous (gives birth to live young). Males and females form monogamous pairs. Males brood the eggs are in a pouch under the tail. The pouch protects the dorsal surface and side of the egg mass, leaving the ventral surface exposed. Males begin brooding at 57 mm TL.

Eggs are deposited in 2-17 transverse rows within a gelatinous matrix.

Larvae: Pelagic and morphologically similar to the adults.

Characteristics:

Meristics: D 23-30; P 2-15; Trunk rings 14-16; Tail rings 35-39.

Head and body: Head length 8.4-12.0 in S; snout length 2.1-2.8 in HL, snout depth 3.7-5.4 in snout length; superior trunk ridges minutely denticulate; median snout ridge, frontal, prenuchal and nuchal ridges smooth; median snout ridge usually with slight dorsal emargination; eye prominent.

Fins: Dorsal fin origin between anterior margins of 1^st and 2^nd tail rings.

Colour:

Base colour light tan; body with broad reddish-brown bands (3-4 rings wide) crossing side and dorsum, sometimes divided to form two close-set bands, sometimes indistinct on posterior third of tail; head without prominent stripes behind eye; venter of anterior trunk rings blotched with dark brown in males, often with small paired spots in females.

Similar species:

The combination of broadly banded coloration, 15 trunk rings and 14 pectoral fin rays clearly separates C. amplexus from other species in the genus. C. flavofasciatus is most similar but has on average one more subdorsal ring, different colouration and the dorsal fin origin is usually before the anterior margin of the first tail ring compared to behind in C. amplexus.

Fisheries:

Sometimes collected for the aquarium trade.

Conservation Status:

Australian Government Legislation: Corythoichthys amplexus is a listed Marine species under under s248 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999 Marine Species).

Remarks:

Males and females form monogamous pairs and individuals have been shown to recognise their partners following a period of separation.

Other common names:

Brownbanded Pipefish, Brown-banded Pipefish, Fijian Banded Pipefish, Red-banded Pipefish.

Original citation:

Corythoichthys amplexus Dawson & Randall 1975, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 88(25): 271, Beqa Lagoon, Stuart and Yanuca Islands, Fiji Islands.

Etymology:

Corythoichthys is from the Greek, korys, korythos for helmet and ichtys meaning fish. The specific name amplexus is from the Latin meaning encircling in reference to the broad encircling colour bands.

References:

Allen, G.R. & M. Adrim. 2003. Coral reef fishes of Indonesia. Zool. Stud. 42(1): 1-72.

Dawson, C.E. 1977. Review of the Pipefish genus Corythoichthys with description of three new species. Copeia 1977(2): 295-338

Dawson, C.E. 1985. Indo-Pacific Pipefishes (Red Sea to the Americas). Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. 230 pp.

Dawson, C.E. & J.E. Randall. 1975. Notes on Indo-Pacific Pipefishes (Pisces: Syngnathidae) with description of two new species. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 88(25): 263-280.

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (2008). Corythoichthys amplexus in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat. Accessed 2008-04-12@10:48:19.

Gronell, A.M. 1984. Courtship, spawning and social organisation of the pipefish Corythoichthys intestinalis (Pisces : Syngnathidae) with notes on two congeneric species. Zeitshrift für Tierpsychologie 65: 1-24.

Hoese, D.F., D.J. Bray, J.R. Paxton & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In: Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells (eds). Zoological catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia, 2178 pp.

Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Seahorses, Pipefishes and their Relatives. Chorleywood, UK: TMC Publishing. 240 pp.

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical reef-fishes of the western Pacific Indonesia and adjacent waters. Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Jakarta. 314 pp.

Laboute, P. & R. Grandperrin. 2000. Poissons de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Editions Catherine Ledru: 7-520.

Michael, S.W. (1998). Reef Fishes Volume 1. A Guide to Their Identification, Behaviour and Captive Care. Microcosm Ltd. Shellbourne, Vermont 624 pp.

Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian reef fishes: a comprehensive guide to the coral reef fishes of Micronesia, 3rd revised and expanded edition. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 330 pp.

Paulus, T. 1999. Family Syngnathidae, pp 2264-2276, In: Carpenter K.E. & V.H. Niem (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide For Fisheries Purposes. FAO Vol. 4, pp 2069-2790.

Pogonoski, J.J., D.A. Pollard & J.R. Paxton. 2002. Conservation Overview and Action Plan for Australian Threatened and Potentially Threatened Marine and Estuarine Fishes, Environment Australia, Canberra. 375 pp. Available online at: http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/publications/marine-fish-action/index.html

Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen & R.C. Steene. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 506 pp.

Whiteman, E.A. & I.M. Côté. 2004. Monogamy in marine fishes. Biol. Rev. 79: 351-375.