Nilsson's pipefish (Syngnathus rostellatus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Syngnathus rostellatus · Authority: Nilsson, 1855 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 127389.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Sygnatus rostellatus Nilsson, 1855; Syngnathus dumerilii Duméril, 1870.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=127389 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 18.5 cm · Depth range: 1–18 m · Habitat zone: demersal · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 18.6 of 100 · Fishery importance: of no interest · Aquarium trade: public aquariums.

FishBase notes: Coastal and estuarine waters (Ref. 126547); often found on sandy shores among floating or attached seaweeds (Ref. 6733). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Spawns in summer. Young are sometimes caught pelagically in the North Sea (Ref. 35388).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 1359) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Syngnathus-rostellatus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

21,504 georeferenced occurrence records for Syngnathus rostellatus are published through GBIF from 21 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 75 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 68 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: Germany (12,821); Netherlands (5,695); Belgium (1,085); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (603); Denmark (562).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2332960) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2332960&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=127389 (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 Syngnathus rostellatus Nilsson, 1855 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 18258249) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/18258249/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2332960) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2332960/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The head has a long, thin, round snout with a small up-turned mouth; the eyes are small and situated well back towards the gill covers. The body is long and thin, covered with bony plates; the dorsal fin situates halfway along the body, and pelvic fins are found below this. The caudal fin is shaped like a fan, and small pectoral fins are situated behind the gills.

The lesser and greater pipefish species differ because one has a crest on the head while one doesn't. However, they are still quite similar: a fully grown lesser pipefish and a young greater pipefish share similar coloration and markings, they both have a caudal fin, and they swim in a similar style. One distinguishing feature of the lesser pipefish is a continuous black line from the gills down the belly to the tail, although this is not very apparent on very young specimens.

Distribution

The lesser pipefish is found in the eastern Atlantic, from Norway, the British Isles, the Bay of Biscay, and western Portugal. There is one record as well in the Mediterranean Sea, off Malaga, Spain, dating from 1981; reports from the eastern Mediterranean have proven to be misidentifications.

Habits

The lesser pipefish feeds on small crustaceans, and makes its habitat in shallow water. In aquariums, this species should be kept at a temperature no more than 18 C and needs to be fed on live food. Breeding takes place in spring and summer.

The adult male carries the eggs and young in a brood pouch until they are able enough to fend for themselves. They can carry about 100 eggs. The young will hatch after about three weeks and are pelagic.

Translations

The lesser pipefish is known as liten kantnål in Norwegian, mindre kantnål in Swedish, lille tangnål in Danish and Kleine Seenadel in German.

Source: Wikipedia: Lesser pipefish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_pipefish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.