Pipefishes are a subfamily of small fishes closely related to seahorses, indeed they look like straight seahorses, and have a long tube-like snout which ends in a small, toothless, narrow mouth which opens upward. The body in encased in bony rings, similar to a seahorse tail, and can sometimes be found while diving from Koh Lanta.
Pipefish have long, thin bodies and are snake-like. The majority of these fish have tail fins, however some have tails similar to seahorses, in that they can curl and attach or hold objects.
All species have a dorsal fin, which is the main method of swimming, with other fins absent or underdeveloped in most species. They are slow, weak swimmers.
Females deposit eggs with the male, who fertilises and takes care of them. The male broods the offspring on either a distinct area of its body or in a brood pouch, depending on the species.
2 species found on this page.
