Enneacampus kaupi (Bleeker 1863)

Diagnosis: 14-17 (median 16) pectoral fin rays; head length 6.5-7.5 (mean 7.1) times in SL (Ref. 57226, 81680). Snout tubular, moderately elongate (Ref. 57226), ratio head length/snouth length 1.8-2.3 (Ref. 57226, 81680). Description: total number of rings 45-47 (Ref. 81680), 13-14 trunk rings (before anus) and 32-34 tail rings (behind anus)(Ref. 57226, 81680). 5.5-6.25 subdorsal rings; dorsal fin origin from anterior margin to middle of first tail ring, usually at anterior margin; snout length positively allometric; caudal fin with 9 rays (Ref. 81680). Male brood pouch extending on (15) 16-18 rings of the tail (Ref. 57226, 81680). Coloration: In life: generally greyish/dusky with a brick-red abdomen; lower flanks yellowish grey with a golden black margined ocellus on each ring; caudal fin black with a pale edge (Ref. 57226, 81680). Head plain in males, with black bars below eye and on lower part of opercle in females; tail rings spotted black, sprinkled with gold (Ref. 81680). Preserved specimens: each trunk ring with a black bordered brown spot extending dorsal from inferior ridge; pouch plates of males with a series of alternating short, pale, brownish bars (Ref. 57226, 81680). Sometimes dorsum and upper flanks crossed by about 10 narrow, diffuse, pale bars (Ref. 81680).

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

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26 - 28; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 2 - 3

Occurs in coastal rivers and estuaries (Ref. 4127). Has been recorded in waters with a temp. range of 26.0-29.0 °C (Ref. 4959). Lives among algal where it mimics the coloration of the vegetation. Feeds on small prey and organic debris. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The incubation of the eggs takes place in a marsupial pouch found in front of the tail of the males (Ref. 5377).

Occurs in coastal rivers and estuaries (Ref. 4127). Seems to be mainly a brackish water species, only occasionally entering fresh water (Ref. 81680). Has been recorded in waters with a temperature range of 26.0-29.0 °C (Ref. 4959). Lives among algae where it mimics the coloration of the vegetation. Feeds on small prey and organic debris. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The incubation of the eggs takes place in a marsupial pouch found in front of the tail of the males (Ref. 5377). Dawson (1981) reported over 800 postlarvae in a male of 141 mm SL (Ref. 81680). Maximum reported total length 20.0 cm (Ref. 5377).

fisheries: ; aquarium: commercial

Enneacampus kaupi is a pipefish in the family Syngnathidae. It is found in Africa, from Liberia to the Congo River estuary. It lives in fresh and brackish water estuaries and streams where it is usually found among algae at depths of 10–13 m. Its IUCN status is Least Concern. Wild-caught members of this species can be found in the aquarium trade. The specific name honours the ichthyologist Johann Jakob Kaup.