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Harlequin/Ornate Ghostpipe Fish

Solenostomus paradoxus

Description:

Another Master of disiguise! The ornate ghost pipefish or harlequin ghost pipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus, is a false pipefish of the family Solenostomidae. The species name comes from the Greek paradoxos, referring to this fish's unusual external features. They vary in color from red or yellow to black and juveniles are almost transparent. During juvenile phase, they are mostly pelagic and almost transparent/translucent. When they eventually settled down among coral reefs, they will adapt their coloration to the surrounding, especially the Crinoids they 'hide' in. They feed mostly on mysids and benthic shrimp. Females carry the eggs in their pelvic fins that are modified to form a brood pouch.

Habitat:

Ornate ghost pipefish are found in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean along reef edges prone to strong currents. They reach a maximum length of 12 cm.

Notes:

Pics #1 & #2 shows a pair of Ornate Ghostpipe fish, partly away from their host Crinoid to make it easier to show where they are. Pic #3 is a close-up of the Female with the Crinoid in the background, her coloration is almost similar to the host Crinoid. Pic#5 - can you see the Ornate Ghostpipe fish? Pic#6 - this is another individual at a different dive site but also in Moal-Boal, Cebu, Philippines. This picture is to illustrate their mimicry and/or camouflage, blending in so well with the host Crinoid.

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21 Comments

armadeus.4
armadeus.4 8 years ago

Thank you Albert :)

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 8 years ago

Thanks, @Jim Nelson for your kind words and comments!

Thanks too, @armadeus.4, glad you like this Spotting and Congratulations to you too!

armadeus.4
armadeus.4 8 years ago

Congratulations Albert! This is an incredible spotting not just for your amazing images but also for the information. Thank you for sharing :-)

Jim Nelson
Jim Nelson 8 years ago

Albert, great capture! One of many you have posted, and recognized by Project Noah.

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 8 years ago

Thanks, @Reza :)

Beauty !

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 8 years ago

Thanks, @Ashley and to the PN Rangers who voted for this!
Am truly honoured :)

Thanks, @sunnyjosef, @LeanneGardner and @venusflytrap2000 your kind comments and support in so many of my Spottings, greatly appreciated.

CalebSteindel
CalebSteindel 8 years ago

Congrats, Albert!

LeanneGardner
LeanneGardner 8 years ago

Congratulations to you Albert for this, your 1st place in best in fish category! Very well deserved.

sunnyjosef
sunnyjosef 8 years ago

Congrats Albert!!

AshleyT
AshleyT 8 years ago

Congrats Albert, your unique Ghostpipe Fish placed 1st in the fish category for the Best of 2015! Here is the link for the '2016 Best Wildlife Photo mission so you can add more fantastic spottings for this year! www.projectnoah.org/missions/2004046002

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/pho...

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 8 years ago

Thanks, @Ashley for the nomination :)
Am honoured!

AshleyT
AshleyT 8 years ago

Congrats Albert, your super cool Ghostpipe Fish has made the top 10 fish spottings in the '2015 Best Wildlife Photo' mission! Rangers are voting on the top 10 fish spottings, and the top 3 will be announced on February 5th. The top 3 spottings will be commented on here on the site, but make sure you keep a look out on our Facebook app page for the announcement as well! Congratulations on making the top 10! https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 9 years ago

Thanks, @Joshua, @amadeus.4 and @EmilleChich.
There are still color variation of them.
Usually, beginner divers have a hard time finding them but once you are familiar with them, its easier to find them.

EmilieChich
EmilieChich 9 years ago

Astonishing! Thanks for sharing, Albert.

armadeus.4
armadeus.4 9 years ago

That's wicked! Thank you for sharing Albert!

JoshuaGSmith
JoshuaGSmith 9 years ago

Unreal!

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 9 years ago

Yes, @Ingrid3.
I added Pic#6 to show how same specie has different coloration to camouflage with their environment.

Ingrid3
Ingrid3 9 years ago

These are amazing creatures. They clearly seem to be mimicking the crinoids.

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 9 years ago

Thanks, @andrew

andreweleighton
andreweleighton 9 years ago

Really beautiful shots.

AlbertKang
Spotted by
AlbertKang

Cebu, Philippines

Spotted on Feb 12, 2015
Submitted on Feb 14, 2015

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