Robust Ghost Pipefish

While many divers are keen on seeing the large pelagics, there are many of us who are keen on the small things. With patience and good eyes, there are many, many rewarding species to be found. One of the most fascinating are the pipefish family. Robust Ghost Pipefish are very hard to spot and typically in the very shallow areas. It is only with dawning awe that many a guest has realized that what we are pointing out is not a dead leaf but a living fish!

Robust ghost pipefish also better known as False Pipefish, Tube mouth Fish, Blue-Finned Ghost Pipefish, Squaretail Ghost Pipefish and Seagrass Ghost Pipefish are in fact not members of the Pipefish family, but are closely related to the Pipefish and Sea Horse family, which is perhaps why the Robust Ghost Pipefish while having the long tube-like snout taking up 1/3 of its size is similar to the pipefish, and its body covered with external plates makes its appearance and size more like a seahorse.

With their incredible ability to mimic their surroundings and their tiny size, it is not surprising that these spectacular critters are seldom spotted by divers. Robust ghost pipefishes are masters of disguise. In fact they may have some of the best disguises in the sea but when viewed, they are one of the oceans most beautiful creatures!

General Description

Robust ghost pipefish are closely related to Seahorses, but unlike Seahorses, male robust ghost pipefish do not have a pouch in which the young are reared. Instead the female has the pouch and has to look after the eggs.

Robust ghost pipefishes are also different to seahorses in several other ways. A robust ghost pipefish’s head is held at an angle to the body, but not at such a large angle as that of the seahorse. Robust ghost pipefishes have two dorsal fins whereas a seahorse only has one.

Colour varies from place to place blending in with surroundings ranging from Green to brown.

In certain habitats, like among rocks and macroalgae, they assume a blotched color pattern.

Komodo Diving