Muiron Island pipefish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Muiron Island pipefish |
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The Muiron Island pipefish (scientific name: Choeroichthys latispinosus) is a special type of pipefish. It lives off the western coast of Western Australia. This fish got its name because it was first seen near South Muiron Island. Scientists believe it lives from Port Denison up to Brecknock Island in the eastern Kimberley region.
A scientist named Charles Dawson first described this pipefish in 1978. He based his description on just one fish. Even today, we only know about this species from a few places and a very small number of fish.
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What the Muiron Pipefish Looks Like
The first female Muiron pipefish ever studied was about 27.5 mm (1.08 in) long. Its main color is dark brown. It also has pale white spots and blotches on its body. The top fin, called the dorsal fin, has a thin black or brown edge.
This pipefish has a special snout. It has a bony ridge that sticks out on the side. This is why its scientific name, latispinosus, was chosen. Latus means "side" and spinosus means "thorny" in Latin.
The Muiron pipefish has several fins. Its dorsal fin has 22 rays. The pectoral fin has 20 rays. The anal fin has 4 rays, and the tail fin, called the caudal fin, has 10 rays. Its body has 19 rings around its middle part and 20 rings on its tail. This pipefish can grow up to 50 millimetres (2.0 in) long in total.
Where the Muiron Pipefish Lives
The Muiron Island pipefish is found only in the coastal waters of Western Australia. It lives from Port Denison in the south up to Brecknock Island in the eastern Kimberley region. This means it is an endemic species to this area.
How the Muiron Pipefish Reproduces
Like other pipefish in its group, the male Muiron Island pipefish takes care of the babies. He has a simple pouch under his body. The female pipefish puts her eggs into this pouch. The male then carries the eggs until they hatch. After they hatch, he gives birth to live, tiny pipefish.
Habitat and Diet of the Muiron Pipefish
This pipefish lives in coastal coral reefs. Scientists think it eats very small creatures that float in the water. These tiny animals are called planktonic crustaceans. They include things like copepods and isopods. Other fish similar to pipefish also eat these kinds of small foods.
Protecting the Muiron Pipefish
The Choeroichthys latispinosus is listed as "Data Deficient" by the IUCN. This means we don't have enough information about this species. We don't know how many there are or if their numbers are going up or down.
The biggest danger to this pipefish is the damage to its coral reef home. Coral reefs are very important habitats for many ocean creatures. More research is needed to understand where this pipefish lives, what its habits are, how many there are, and if its population is changing.
In Australia, the Muiron pipefish is a listed marine species. This means it is protected under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
See also
In Spanish: Choeroichthys latispinosus para niños