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Project Noah Nature School
Solenostomus paradoxus
Also known as Harlequin Ghostpipefish, they feed on small crustaceans, and grow to a length of about 10cm. The specimen shown here is less than 5cm when it was spotted. Color variable from place to place in order to blend in with surroundings.
Found in pairs or family groups, floating with head down on coral dropoffs and rock faces along coastal reefs, usually close to soft coral, feather stars or sea grass. Found at depths of 5 to 25m. Widespread in the Indo-Pacific region.
I spotted this juvenile ghostpipefish (it was really tiny) at a depth of about 70 feet. As soon as it saw me approaching, it took refuge beside a black-colored feather star, probably in the hopes of avoiding detection!
Spotted on Jan 28, 2012
Submitted on Jan 28, 2012
11 Comments
cool!
Thank you, tibiprada!
Nice !
Thanks, Leuba! I had lots of fun shooting this critter. :)
great spotting as usual, Blogie - amazing !!
Thanks for your comment, zhabiz!
Amazing fish. I love the way it tries to trick you by hiding behind that feather star. So naive!
Also I totally agree with craigwilliams.
You're welcome, craigwilliams! :)
Quite astonishing! My favourite creatures are always the ones that look stranger than fiction. This fits very comfortably in that category. Thanks!
My pleasure, Argybee! What a fish indeed. I always enjoy seeing them underwater -- sometimes white, sometimes yellow... :)
That is fantastic Blogie. What a fish; like something from a crazy cartoon... and then there's the thing it's cruising with. Amazing, thanks.