Ghost Pipefish in Fiji, Solenostomus

Ghost pipefish in Fiji

Ghost pipefish are small fish that belong to the same order as seahorses and sea dragons.

They appear seasonally in shallow waters on coastal reefs and mucky sediments. Ghost pipefish are masters of camouflage, divers are always thrilled when they see these unusual fish during a dive.

Perfectly camouflaged, they remain motionless and blend in well with their surroundings, so that they can hardly be found.

To discover these unusual small fish hidden between crinoids, sponges, corals, or seaweed it needs experienced eyes and knowledge about their mimicry, and how to behave in the environment.

 

Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus)

Description

Ghost pipefishes grow to be about 10 to 15 centimeters long.

They have a short, laterally flattened body, which is not even 1 centimeter wide.

Their body is covered with small scales.

Several different species occur on the reefs, mimicking their environment and blending in perfectly.

Typical for the Harlequin ghost pipefish are the thorn-like skin appendages reminiscent of the feathers of feather stars.

The robust and delicate ghost pipefish, on the other hand, look like seaweed.

Coloring and appearance can vary widely within one species, between the sexes, as well as between adults and juveniles.

Feeding

The family name Solenostomidae derives from the Latin solen = tube and stoma = mouth.

With this tube-like mouth Ghost pipefish feed by sucking in small prey such as crustaceans, small fish, and other small bottom-dwelling invertebrates. They use their camouflage to ambush prey swimming nearby.

They float often with their heads down and show little movement. When prey nears, they suck it in through their tubular snout.

Robust ghost pipefish (Solenostomus cyanopterus)

Ghost Pipefish in Fiji

Where do ghost pipefish live

Ghost pipefish are seasonal and are only present for a few months of the year, usually during the summer month when the water is warmest.

In Fiji, this is from December through to February. After that they disappear, I have never seen one in the cold time of the year.

Ghost Pipefish
Roughsnout ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paegnius)

Ghost pipefishes prefer sheltered spots such as shallow protected reefs, coastal bays or ‘muck’ sites. They seem to love to hang out under Jetties.

 

Roughsnout ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paegnius)

Life cycle and reproduction

Not that much is known about their life cycle.

Halimeda ghost pipefish (Solenostomus halimeda)

They spend the greater part of their life in a larval stage in the pelagial.

When grown enough to reproduce they morph into an adult form and settle in shallow protected waters and coral reefs to depths of up to 25 meters.

Ghost Pipefish Fiji
Robust ghost pipefish (Solenostomus cyanopterus)

They usually appear in pairs and seem to be monogamous.

The female fish broods the eggs. Its large pelvic fins form a pouch under the body in which the eggs are kept.

Soon after the young have hatched, the adult fish disappear.

Harlequin Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus)