Crocodile Tooth Pipefish

Crocodile Tooth Pipefish

Description of the Crocodile Tooth Pipefish
The Crocodile Tooth Pipefish belongs to the Syngnathidae family which is the same as Seahorses and like the Seahorse, the female pipefish will lay her eggs in the males pouch which is located under the tail. The male will then fertilise the eggs and incubate and care for them until they hatch. The Pipefish gets its name from its 'pipe like' snout.

Profile of the Crocodile Tooth Pipefish
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Crocodile Tooth Pipefish species.

• Size: Up to 20cm

• Diet / Feeding: Mysis Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, Brine Shrimp

• Temperament: Peaceful

• Habitat: Rivers and Estuaries

• Behaviour: Very weak swimmer

• Range: Asia: Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh

Scientific Classification of the Crocodile Tooth Pipefish
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Microphis cuncalus

• Popular Name: Crocodile Tooth Pipefish

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Syngnathiformes

• Family: Syngnathidae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Crocodile Tooth Pipefish?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Crocodile Tooth Pipefish slimy?
Crocodile Tooth Pipefish secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Crocodile Tooth Pipefish to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Crocodile Tooth Pipefish have gills?
Gills enable the Crocodile Tooth Pipefish to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Crocodile Tooth Pipefish have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the back of the pipefish and is used to move through the water. The Crocodile Tooth Pipefish has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

Interesting Facts and Information about Crocodile Tooth Pipefish