Barred Xenia Pipefish

Description: Characterized by whitish to light green color with numerous, close-set reddish bars on trunk; broad red-brown band through eye and on side of snout; absence of anal fin; 10 caudal rays; rings 10-12 + 50-53; continuous superior trunk and tail ridges; inferior trunk ridge ends at anal ring; confluent lateral trunk ridge with inferior tail ridge; length of snout 3.7-5.0 in head length; depth of snout 1.0-1.3 in snout length; head length 14.9-16.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch (Ref. 205).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 2428

Occurs in coral and sandy bottoms and among coral branches from 0 to 9.1 m. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Also found among Xenia soft coral in 1-10 m (Ref 90102).