Ringed pipefish (Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, occurrence map from GBIF, conservation from IUCN Red List.
Last updated
Diego Delso · via Wikipedia: Banded pipefish · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ringed pipefish (Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus) is a marine species in the family Syngnathidae (Chordata › Teleostei › Syngnathiformes), recorded in the World Register of Marine Species as Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus (Bleeker, 1853) under AphiaID 218005.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassActinopterygii
- DivisionTeleostei
- OrderSyngnathiformes
- FamilySyngnathidae
- GenusDunckerocampus
- SpeciesDunckerocampus dactyliophorus
Named by (Bleeker, 1853)
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Banded pipefish (CC BY-SA 4.0) · order, family and genus agree with WoRMS AphiaID 218005 (CC BY 4.0)
Conservation status
Data Deficient (DD)
Data Deficient: there is not enough information to place this species on the risk scale.
Source: IUCN Red List assessment · GBIF copy of the Red List category
How big is it?
Largest length in the source, 0.19 m, next to a 1.8 m person.
Diagram: drawn by Codexery, schematic shapes to scale (not a likeness). Length: Wikipedia: Banded pipefish
Where the ringed pipefish (dunckerocampus dactyliophorus) has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (969 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 29 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Syngnathiformes · Family: Syngnathidae · Genus: Dunckerocampus.
Accepted name: Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus · Authority: (Bleeker, 1853) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 218005.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Acanthognathus caulleryi Chabanaud, 1929; Doryhamphus dactyliophorus (Bleeker, 1853); Doryramphus dactyliophorus (Bleeker, 1853); Doryrhamphus dactyliophorus (Bleeker, 1853); Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus dactyliophorus (Bleeker, 1853); Syngnathus dactyliophorus Bleeker, 1853.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218005 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Biology and life history (FishBase)
Measured values published by FishBase for Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 19 cm · Depth range: 5–56 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: public aquariums.
FishBase notes: Adults inhabit tide pools, lagoons, and outer reef slopes. Found in caves and crevices. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). Feeds on small invertebrates (Ref. 89972).
The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Have been reared in captivity (Ref. 35416). Solitary, pairs or in small aggregations in caves or under ledges (Ref 90102).
Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5972) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Dunckerocampus-dactyliophorus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
969 georeferenced occurrence records for Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus are published through GBIF from 27 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 167 distinct locations from a sample of 969 records, omitting 29 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: Indonesia (335); Philippines (326); Malaysia (44); Fiji (35); Palau (34); Papua New Guinea (32); Australia (30); Solomon Islands (29); Chinese Taipei (22); Japan (15); New Caledonia (12); China (10); Vanuatu (9); Wallis and Futuna (7); Kiribati (4).
Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Red Sea; Chinese Exclusive Economic Zone.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2332776) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2332776&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218005 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Conservation status (IUCN Red List)
The IUCN Red List assesses Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus (Bleeker, 1853) as Data Deficient (code DD). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.
Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 6814) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/6814/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2332776) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2332776/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Banded pipefish (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; order, family and genus checked against WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List assessment.
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Biology values: FishBase species summary (CC BY-NC 3.0, non-commercial).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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