Sculptured pipefish (Choeroichthys sculptus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Syngnathiformes · Family: Syngnathidae · Genus: Choeroichthys.

Accepted name: Choeroichthys sculptus · Authority: (Günther, 1870) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 217988.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Doryichthys sculptus Günther, 1870; Doryrhamphus macgregori Jordan & Richardson, 1908; Microphis ocellatus Snyder, 1909.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217988 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Choeroichthys sculptus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 8.5 cm · Depth range: 0–6 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: of no interest.

FishBase notes: Inhabits intertidal reef flats. Also found in seagrass habitats to few meters depth (Ref. 48635). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205).

The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Males may be brooding at 4.6 cm SL (Ref. 30874). Seen in lagoons and seaward reefs in 0-6 m (Ref 90102).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5410) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Choeroichthys-sculptus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

191 georeferenced occurrence records for Choeroichthys sculptus are published through GBIF from 33 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 94 distinct locations from a sample of 191 records, omitting 13 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: Fiji (43); Vanuatu (18); Philippines (17); Solomon Islands (12); Mozambique (8); Australia (7); Tonga (7); Indonesia (6); British Indian Ocean Territory (6); Christmas Island (5); Palau (5); Wallis and Futuna (5); French Polynesia (4); Papua New Guinea (4); Chinese Taipei (4).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Chagos; Mozambican Exclusive Economic Zone; Madagascar; Kenyan Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2332740) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2332740&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217988 (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 Choeroichthys sculptus (Günther, 1870) as Least Concern (code LC). 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 65364553) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/65364553/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2332740) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2332740/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Choeroichthys sculptus is a small secretive species with a short snout, and with body and tail sections which are approximately equal in length. C. sculptus is dark brown in colour with 2–3 rows of black-margined white spots along its sides with larger white spots along its back and dark spots situated on the lower part of and on either side of the head. The trunk and tail rings show notches between the rings with conspicuous scutella each of which has a projecting ridge or keel. They can grow to lengths of 8.5 cm.

Choeroichthys sculptus is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific from the South China Sea, southern Japan, the Northern Mariana Islands, to Samoa.

Choeroichthys sculptus is thought to feed mainly on small crustaceans. They are solitary, the sexes are separate and males brood the eggs in an enclosed brood pouch on underside of his body, i.e. this species is ovoviviparous, eventually the eggs hatch and the male gives birth to live young. The female usually lays the eggs in a single layer of two parallel rows within the brood pouch.

The males may be brooding at 4.5 cm in length. The larvae are undescribed. It inhabits coral reef flats, mangroves, and seagrass beds.

The generic name "Choeroichthys" is derived from the Greek meaning "pig" and meaning "fish", the specific name sculptus means "to carve" in Latin and refers to the conspicuous keeled scutella.

Source: Wikipedia: Choeroichthys sculptus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choeroichthys_sculptus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.