Brown-banded pipefish (Corythoichthys amplexus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Corythoichthys amplexus · Authority: Dawson & Randall, 1975 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 217996.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Corythoichutys amplexus Dawson & Randall, 1975.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217996 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 10 cm · Depth range: 0–31 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: of no interest.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit coral reefs (Ref. 9710). 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 5.0-5.5 cm SL (Ref. 5316). Also found in lagoons and seaward reefs (Ref 90102).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 6659) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Corythoichthys-amplexus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

288 georeferenced occurrence records for Corythoichthys amplexus are published through GBIF from 27 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 95 distinct locations from a sample of 288 records, omitting 18 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: Australia (87); Fiji (49); New Caledonia (41); Japan (18); Indonesia (16); Thailand (16); Philippines (8); Seychelles (7); Sri Lanka (6); Egypt (5); Malaysia (5); Vanuatu (5); Papua New Guinea (3); Timor-Leste (3); Wallis and Futuna (3).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Seychellois Exclusive Economic Zone; Chagos; Gazi Bay.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2333121) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2333121&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217996 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Corythoichthys amplexus Dawson & Randall, 1975 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 155165) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/155165/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2333121) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2333121/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The brown-banded pipefish is a small size fish and can reach a maximum size of 10 cm length. The skin has a base colour of light tan with broad reddish-brown bands on the body, each 3–4 rings wide, which lie across the side and dorsal surfaces, occasionally these are divided to form two closely set bands, and sometimes they are indistinct on the posterior third of the tail. The head lacks prominent stripes behind eye and the ventral surface of anterior trunk rings is blotched with dark brown in males, while often being marked with small paired spots in females.

The adult males and females form monogamous pairs, they are an ovoviviparous species, in which the males brood the fertilised eggs in a brood pouch situated under his tail. The brood pouch protects the dorsal surface and side of the egg mass, leaving the ventral surface exposed. Males are capable of once they attain a total length of 57 mm.

The eggs mass consists of 2–17 transverse rows within a gelatinous matrix.

The brown-banded pipefish is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific region, from the eastern coast of Africa to the western Pacific north to the Ryukyu Islands to south the Great Barrier Reef. Records from South Africa and Madagascar require verification. It is a secretive species which occurs in coral reefs, lagoons, harbours, and open sandy-flats; as well as in rubble along edges of reefs and in small patches of reef which are surrounded by sandy flats. They occur to a depth of 10 m. It feeds on small crustaceans.

They are traded for the aquarium trade and like other pipefishes and sea horses they may be dried and traded for traditional medicine and for sale as curios.

Source: Wikipedia: Corythoichthys amplexus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corythoichthys_amplexus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.