Northern pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Syngnathus fuscus · Authority: Storer, 1839 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 159451.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=159451 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 33 cm · Common length: 17 cm · Depth range: 5–49 m · Habitat zone: demersal · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 23 of 100.

FishBase notes: Inhabits seagrass beds in bays and estuaries, but also enters fresh water (Ref. 7251). Resident in estuaries during spring through fall, migrates into near shore continental shelf waters during winter. Found in waters of 4-17 °C. 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 3301) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Syngnathus-fuscus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

4,125 georeferenced occurrence records for Syngnathus fuscus are published through GBIF from 9 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 99 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 105 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: United States of America (2,710); Canada (1,389); Germany (10); Bermuda (4); Mauritania (4).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2332955) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2332955&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=159451 (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 Syngnathus fuscus Storer, 1839 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 47153773) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/47153773/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2332955) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2332955/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The northern pipefish has a long, thin, rigid body encased in bony rings. up to 30.0 cm length. The northern pipefish has a long, thin head, which is rounded at the end of the mouth. The dorsal fin spreads across 4 to 5 of the bony rings that span the body of the northern pipefish. The species has a brood pouch, made up of two lateral flaps that meet along the central line of the fish. The caudal fin is rounded, the anal fin is small, and it lacks ventral and pelvic fins. The species is generally olive or brownish on top. It is typically 10 to 20 cm long, but can sometimes be seen up to 30 cm.

The Northern Pipefish is often regarded as an invader in freshwater ecosystems. Northern pipefish feed on many different organisms with freshwater ecosystems, however, studies have found zooplankton to be the primary organism in pipefish diets. There is evidence of seasonal migration.

Occurs in the north-western Atlantic from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in Canada to north-eastern Florida in USA and north-western Gulf of Mexico. Found on the depth <2–366 m. Commonly occurs in bays, tide pools, and anywhere sheltered from breaking surf.

Source: Wikipedia: Northern pipefish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_pipefish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.