Gray'S Pipefish

Short-snouted species with large eyes (Ref. 48635).Description: Characterized by mottled brown color, usually with greyish saddles across dorsum and whitish blotches on side; 10 caudal rays; ring 17 - 18 + 32 - 37; discontinuous superior trunk and tail ridges; inferior trunk ridge ending at anal ring; lateral trunk ridge confluent with inferior tail ridge; length of snout 2.0-2.6 in head length; depth of snout 3.3-5.3 in snout length; head length 7.7-10.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Males carry the eggs in the brood pouch (Ref. 205).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 22; Analsoft rays: 4

Found on the continental shelf (Ref. 75154). Both larval and adult forms occur in mangroves (Ref. 43081).

Adults live in muddy habitats, often covered with silt and extremely well-camouflaged (Ref. 48635). Planktonic specimens taken in the upper 0 to 100 m over depths to at least 2980 m while the demersal fish have been taken in SCUBA and trawl collections from 9 to 91.4 m. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). Males exhibit parental care by incubating and guarding the eggs in their brood pouch (Ref. 43081).