Mushroom Coral Pipefish

Description: Characterized by having uniformly white color except thin dark band through eye; absence of anal fin; 10 caudal rays; rings 14 + 53-55; continuous superior trunk and tail ridges; inferior trunk ridge ends at anal ring; confluent lateral trunk ridge with inferior tail ridge; length of snout 3.5-3.8 in head length; depth of snout 1.1 in snout length; head length 15.0-16.1 in SL (Ref. 90102).

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

Dorsal soft rays (total): 3032

Associated with the mushroom Heliofungia actiniformis (Ref. 91291).

Inhabits coastal reefs, usually along the bottom of shallow drop-offs, and in small groups on the solitary coral. Apparently commensal with solitary corals (e.g. Fungia echinata). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Also found among tentacles of mushroom corals (often Heliofungia actiniformes ) (Ref 90102).