Description: Pipefish belong to the same family of fish as the sea-horses (Syngnathidae). They have long, slender bodies encased in an armour of segmented plates. The main body of the greater pipefish is polygonal in cross-section whilst the tail end is four-sided, giving the body an angular appearance. It has a relatively long snout with a small mouth at the tip. There is a distinctive hump on top of the head behind the eyes. It is usually pale brown to greenish-brown in colour with darker bands along the body. Adult fish can grow to a maximum length of 47cm.

Habitat: Pipefish are usually found in muddy or sandy areas living amongst seaweed or sea-grass at depths down to 20m. They feed on small planktonic organisms.

Distribution: This species is widespread all around the coasts of Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: The greater pipefish most closely resembles Nilsson's pipefish (Syngnathus rostellatus) however the latter does not have a conspicuous hump behind the eyes and has a much shorter snout. The deep-snouted pipefish (Syngnathus typhle) is also similar but it too lacks a hump behind the eyes and has a much deeper snout.

Key Identification Features:

• Long pipe-like body and long slender snout
• Angular looking body
• Body comprised of segmented plates
• Conspicuous hump behind eyes

Distribution Map from NBN: Syngnathus acus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Syngnathus acus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Syngnathus acus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Syngnathus acus Linnaeus, 1758. AphiaID: 127387.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Syngnathiformes; Syngnathidae; Syngnathinae; Syngnathus