Teleostei (teleosts) >
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and seahorses) >
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) > Nerophinae
Etymology: Microphis: Greek, mikros = small + greek, ophis = serpent (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Peters.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal. Tropical
Africa: east coast from Sabaki River, Kenya, to Coffee Bay, South Africa (Ref. 4127, 52193); also Madagascar (Ref. 4127, 52193). Reported from Zimbabwe (Ref. 13337).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 21.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 52193)
It occurs in coastal rivers and streams (Ref. 4127) where it can be found in quiet water amongst vegetation (Ref. 30558, 52193) or in the vicinity of logs at river edges (Ref. 30558). It is ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). During mating the female passes eggs to the male and the eggs become fertilized as they pass into the pouch of the male (Ref. 30558). The male brood the eggs and larvae in an abdominal pouch (Ref. 7248, Ref. 30558). After about three weeks the pouch opens and the male gives birth to fully formed young (Ref. 30558). The young begin to feed soon and may take refuge in the male pouch if necessary (Ref. 30558). It probably feeds on minute invertebrate organisms such as crustaceans and insects (Ref. 30558, 52193).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch (Ref. 205).
Dawson, C.E., 1986. Syngnathidae. p. 445-458. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 4281)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00093 (0.00036 - 0.00242), b=3.05 (2.83 - 3.27), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.45 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (11 of 100).
