Bluestripe pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Doryrhamphus excisus · Authority: Kaup, 1856 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 218002.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Doryhamphus excises Kaup, 1856; Doryhamphus excises excises Kaup, 1856; Doryichthys californiensis (Gill, 1862); Doryichthys excisus (Kaup, 1856); Doryichthys melanopleura (Bleeker, 1858); Doryichthys pleurotaenia Günther, 1880; Doryramphus excisus (Kaup, 1856); Doryrhamhus melanopleura (Bleeker, 1858); Doryrhamphus californiensis Gill, 1862; Doryrhamphus excisus excisus Kaup, 1856; Doryrhamphus melanopleura (Bleeker, 1858); Doryrhamphus melanopleura cooki Weed & Woods, 1953; Doryrhamphus melanopleura melanopleura (Bleeker, 1858); Doryrhamphus melanopleura pleurotaenia (Günther, 1880); Doryrhamphus pleurotaenia (Günther, 1880); Microphis extensus Snyder, 1911; Microphis mayottae Fourmanoir, 1955; Microphis melanopleura (Bleeker, 1858); Microphis pleurotaenia (Günther, 1880); Syngnathus melanopleura Bleeker, 1858.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218002 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 7 cm · Depth range: 2–50 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Uncommon, cryptic species (Ref. 5227), prefers crevices in rocks and corals and areas beneath ledges (Ref. 28023). Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of 45 m or more (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302).

Often seen in pairs. Uses its tubelike snout to ingest small crustaceans and plankton (Ref. 28023). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5969) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Doryrhamphus-excisus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

1,157 georeferenced occurrence records for Doryrhamphus excisus are published through GBIF from 56 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 283 distinct locations from a sample of 1,157 records, omitting 52 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: Mexico (211); French Polynesia (95); Japan (89); Panama (81); Ecuador (62).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 4286276) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=4286276&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218002 (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 Doryrhamphus excisus Kaup, 1856 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 183214) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/183214/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 4286276) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/4286276/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

D. excisus as a species was named by Kaup in 1856. D. melanopleaura, named by Bleeker, is a synonym. The species was eventually split into subspecies, based on distribution.

D. excisus abbreviatus was named by Dawson in 1981, D. excisus excisus, by Kaup in 1856, and D. excisus paulus, by Fritzsche in 1980. D. excisus abbreviatus pertains only to the Red Sea subspecies. D. e. paulus is restricted to the Revillagigedo Islands in Mexico.

Characteristics

The species is distinguished by its bluish mid-lateral stripe contrasting an orange or reddish body. Furthermore, it has a fan-like tail. A caudal fin is present, which is rounded with a white outline, the inside mostly black. The fish's snout is elongated.

Males and females of the species grow to an average of 7 cm. A male will have a series of bumps and hooks on the upper surface of its snout, while a female will have a smooth snout. Males mature around lengths of 31 mm.

Distribution and habitat

The species has a wide distribution. It can be found from the Persian Gulf to the coasts of Central America and South America. It has been found in the Indo-Pacific and Western Pacific, inhabiting reef crevices.

The fish has been found in tidepools.

Behavior

The fish may inspect larger fish for parasites in a symbiotic relationship. Two males of the species may fight. They frequently hover in pairs, advertising their presence by swimming in an undulating motion above the substrate and bobbing up and down in the water column, this seems to be to attract larger fish to them to be cleaned and they have been observed picking parasites off moray eels.

During mating, the females deposit eggs into the male's brooding pouch, which located on its underside. The pouch has a lining that supplies the eggs with oxygen as well as nutrients.

Diet

The blue-and-orange cleaner pipefish's diet includes zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, and parasites from other fishes. Its tube-like snout is used to eat such creatures by taking in water rapidly.

The species is considered peaceful, especially in pairs. Aquarium hobbyists have reported success in feeding the species frozen brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. In an aquarium, they may be found in shady areas during daytime. The species has been reported to breed in a tank.

Source: Wikipedia: Doryrhamphus excisus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doryrhamphus_excisus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.