Haliichthys taeniophorus
| Ribboned Pipefish | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Syngnathiformes |
| Family: | Syngnathidae |
| Subfamily: | Syngnathinae |
| Genus: | Haliichthys J. E. Gray, 1859 |
| Species: | H. taeniophora |
| Binomial name | |
| Haliichthys taeniophora J. E. Gray, 1859 | |
Haliichthys taeniophorus, the Ribboned pipefish, is a species of pipefish found along the coast of Western Australia in habitats ranging from shallow and weedy to deeper and sandy bottoms down to depths of 16 metres (52 ft). This species grows to a length of 30 centimetres (12 in) TL. Their colors can range from greenish yellow to brownish red.[1] Previously, it was thought that the ribboned pipefish was closely related to other pipefishes called seadragons (leafy seadragons and weedy seadragons) due to their similar fleshy appendages that allow them to camouflage with seaweeds. However, recent molecular phylogenetic analysis has shown that they are in fact not closely related to seadragons, indicating that they have independently evolved camouflage.[2] This species is the only known member of its genus.