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Braun's Pughead Pipefish Bulbonaricus brauni Dawson & Allen 1978
[CAAB 37 282037]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

This small pipefish is easily recognised by the eel-like shape and short ‘pug-faced' snout.

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Known from the tropical Indo-west Pacific, Indonesia, Western Australia, Palau and Japan. The species inhabits coral reefs at 1-20 m, living in association with dendrophyllid corals and the Organ-pipe Coral.

Size:

Attains 72 mm TL

Food and feeding:

The white snout resembles polyps of the Organ-pipe Coral Tubipora musica, on with which it associates and may feed.

Reproduction and early life history:

Reproduction: Ovoviviparous (gives birth to live young). The eggs are brooded by males in enclosed pouch on underside of tail.

Eggs: Not described.

Larvae: The species has a long pelagic juvenile stage. Non-metamorphosed planktonic stages differ from metamorphosed demersal form in having a dorsal fin, pectoral fins and a tubiform snout.

Characteristics:

Meristics: D absent in adults; P absent in adults; C 10; Trunk rings 17; Tail rings 44-46.

Head and body: Lateral trunk ridges straight, terminating midlaterally near anal ring; metamorphosed demersal specimens have fleshy integument covering head; ridges on opercle absent; no distinct tubiform snout, mouth inferior, lips fleshy. Anterior tip of frontal process pointed and overhanging mouth. Brood pouch of male on tail, pouch plates short, pouch type semi-closed.

Fins: Unlike the bottom-dwelling stage, planktonic specimens have 42 dorsal-fin rays  and 10-11 pectoral-fin rays.

Colour:

Body overall brownish with numerous small white spots and pale principle trunk ridges. The preorbital region and around the mouth are distinctly white and an oval brownish blotch is present on the opercle (gill cover).

Similar species:

Similar to B. davaoensis which has a round spine-like frontal process and lacks marginal spines or denticulations unlike B. brauni with its V-shaped frontal process and spinose or denticulate dorsal margins.

Fisheries:

None

Conservation Status:

Australian Government Legislation: Bulbonaricus brauni is a listed Marine species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999 Marine Species).

Remarks:

The planktonic and demersal stages of this species are very different. Planktonic specimens have a typical pipefish snout as well as dorsal and pectoral fins, in contrast to the ‘pugheaded' demersal specimens that lack these fins. The fins are lost during metamorphosis and the snout shortens markedly.

Other common names:

Eel Pipefish, Pug-headed Pipefish.

Original citation:

Enchelyocampus brauni Dawson & Allen 1978, Rec. West. Aust. Mus. 6(4): 407, figs 6-7, off Tantabiddi Creek, North West Cape, WA.

Etymology:

Bulbonaricus is from the Latin, bulbus = bulb and Latin, naricus = nose. The species is named after Mr J. Braun, the collector of the holotype.

References:

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum, Perth. 292 pp, 106 pls.

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

Dawson, C.E. 1984. Bulbonaricus Herald (Pisces: Syngnathidae), a senior synonym of Enchelyocampus Dawson and Allen, with description of Bulbonaricus brucei n. sp. from Eastern Africa. Copeia 1984(3): 565-571.

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

Dawson, C.E. & G.R. Allen. 1978. Synopsis of the ‘finless' pipefish genera (Penetopteryx, Apterygocampus and Enchelyocampus, gen. nov.). Rec. West. Aust. Mus. 6(4): 391-411, figs. 1-7.

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (2008). Bulbonaricus brauni 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 2008-04-15@09:47:53.

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. TMC Publishing, Chorleywood, UK. 240 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.

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.

Suzuki, T., K. Yano, H. Senou & T. Yoshino. 2003. First record of a syngnathid fish, Bulbonaricus brauni from Iriomote Island, Ryukyus Islands, Japan. I. O. P. Diving News 14(1): 2-5. [In Japanese, English abstract]