PHILIPPINES UNDERWATER: FOCUS ON PIPEFISH

Since I started posting on this community each post has focused on one species at a time it's a format that I think works well so I shall continue in that vein. Today pipe fish are in the spotlight, these long thin fish are closely related to seahorses and if you were to imagine a seahorse uncurled you would see the similarity. There are various types of pipe fish that have evolved in different ways adapting to their environment. Lets take a look at them, first up is the Ornate ghost pipefish a stunning looking beast that is a master of disguise as it closely matches the Crinoids that they tend to hide in.

The first image is a male looking his usual skinny self, in the second photo we see a female in front of a Crinoid their chosen home, you can imagine how difficult they are to see when hiding inside. This female is carrying young in her swollen brood pouch on her underbelly, they are carried there until ready to venture out on their own. Once the young leave the pouch it shrinks back and she will return to normal size.

Next up we have the Network reef pipe fish, these guys are eel like in their appearance. Sporting a long snout and tiny angel wings they look more similar to their close relative the seahorse. Quite common here in the Philippines they can be seen in large numbers foraging on the reef.

Last but not least is the Robust ghost pipefish, quite different from the others this one has evolved to blend in with sea grasses and weeds. These chaps are bottom dwellers, swimming around with their snouts pointing downwards you could easily swim by mistaking them for a bit of weed. Here side by side you can see how swollen the brooding pouch can get when carrying their offspring.

All photo were taken at various dive sites around the Philippines, thanks for taking some time to have a look.