Blackbreasted Pipefish

Description: Characterized by generally whitish color with black mark on breast; reddish stripe from top of head and along upper trunk to below dorsal fin; lower half of trunk with a pair of broken orange stripes; tail with grayish bars; 10 caudal rays; rings 16 + 36 - 40; discontinuous superior trunk and tail ridges; straight lateral trunk ridge, ends near anal ring; continuous inferior trunk and tail ridges; length of snout 1.9-2.3 in head length; depth of snout 5.0-7.8 in snout length; head length 6.8-9.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and genetic (Ref. 52884). Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 31; Analsoft rays: 4

Adults inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Solitary or paired among corals and algae patches (Ref 90102).

Corythoichthys nigripectus (black-breasted pipefish) is a species of marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea, Indonesia and the Philippines to the Society Islands, Guam and New Caledonia. It inhabits coral reefs and algae patches at depths of 5–30 metres (16–98 ft), where it can grow to lengths of 11 centimetres (4.3 in). This species is both monogamous and ovoviviparous, with males carrying eggs and giving birth to live young.