Syngnathus scovelli
(Evermann and Kendall 1896)
Family Syngnathidae
The Gulf pipefish is a member of the pipefish and seahorse family. It has between 16 and 17 trunk rings, and between 30 and 34 tail rings. This species has irregularly shaped, thin and silvery bars on the lower half of each trunk ring. Males have a flatter belly, are more elongate and possess a deep ventral pouch for incubating eggs and developing embryos. The body is slender and snakelike overall. The Gulf pipefish is a marine species that inhabits a variety of freshwater habitats including creeks, rivers, springs and lakes. This species can often be found far from the sea.
Status & distribution
- Status — Marine invader
- Florida Distribution — Gulf Coast, South Florida and Atlantic Coast