Schultz's pipefish

Schultz's pipefish, Corythoichthys schultzi, is a pipefish of the family Syngnathidae.



Etymology
The genus name Corythoichthys derives from the Greek words coris meaning "helmet" and ichthus meaning "fish". The specific name schultzi honors Leonard Peter Schultz, an American ichthyologist of the Smithsonian Institution (Washington).

Description
Corythoichthys schultzi can reach a length up to 16 cm in males. The body is cylindrical and very elongated. These pipefishes have a cryptic coloration making the difficult to be detected by both prey and predators. The basic color of the body is whitish, with small black, brown and reddish dashes and yellowish rings. The eyes are protruding and the snout is long, slightly compressed and thinner than the body. The caudal fin is present but quite small. Adults may form small aggregation. Ovoviviparous, the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. In this pouch they also carry the developing young pipefishes.

Distribution
This species is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific Oceans, from Red Sea and East Africa to Tonga, throughout Micronesia, northern Australia and New Caledonia.

Habitat
Schultz's pipefish is a benthic species associated with coral reefs. It usually can be found in lagoon and seaward reefs at depths between 2 and 30 m. The adults live in pairs or small groups when out in the open and find a safe places to spend the night.