Network pipefish (Corythoichthys flavofasciatus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Corythoichthys flavofasciatus · Authority: (Rüppell, 1838) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 217992.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Corithoichthys flavofasciatus (Rüppell, 1838); Corythiochthys flavofasciatus (Rüppell, 1838); Corythoichthys fasciatus (Gray, 1830); Corythoichthys flavo-fasciatus (Rüppell, 1838); Corythoichthys sealei Jordan & Starks, 1906; Corythoichthys serrulifer Fowler, 1938; Corythroichthys sealei Jordan & Starks, 1906; Syngnathus flavofasciatus Rüppell, 1838.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217992 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 12 cm · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Found among algal-matted rock and living corals of lagoon and seaward reefs from the low tide line to a depth of 25 m or more. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Feeds on small invertebrates particularly copepods (Ref. 89972).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5959) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Corythoichthys-flavofasciatus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

899 georeferenced occurrence records for Corythoichthys flavofasciatus are published through GBIF from 52 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 177 distinct locations from a sample of 899 records, omitting 28 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: Egypt (284); China (116); French Polynesia (106); Mauritius (29); Israel (27); Saudi Arabia (26); Japan (21); Maldives (20); Réunion (17); Seychelles (16); Mayotte (16); Jordan (15); Australia (13); Fiji (12); Kenya (12).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Red Sea; Rodrigues; Chagos; Réunion Exclusive Economic Zone; Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone; Madagascar; Kenyan Exclusive Economic Zone; Comoran Exclusive Economic Zone; Seychellois Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2333138) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2333138&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217992 (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 flavofasciatus (Rüppell, 1838) 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 65364818) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/65364818/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2333138) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2333138/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

This species can be found from the Red Sea and Eastern Africa to the Tuamotu, the Ryukyu Islands, northern Australia and the Austral Islands. It lives in tropical climate and it is associated with lagoons and coral reefs at depths from the low tide line to 25 m.

Corythoichthys flavofasciatus can reach a length of about 12 cm in males. These fishes have 26-36 dorsal soft rays. Body has yellow and brown stripes, while the snout is red. Males develop orange stripes and brilliant light blue spots. This species is quite similar to Corythoichthys conspicillatus.

This species is ovoviviparous. These fishes are probably monogamous and are usually found in pairs. The male carries the eggs in a ventral pouch, which is below the tail. Hatching time usually lasts 10–12 days. These fishes feed on small invertebrates especially copepods, but also small isopods and ostracods. In French Polynesia it is predated by Epinephelus merra.

Some authorities consider that Corythoichthys flavofasciatus is a species which is restricted to the Red Sea and that the species found in the remainder of the Indo-Pacific is Corythoichthys conspicillatus.

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