Greater pipefish
Otolith description
Otoliths of syngnathidae are very small and otolith length does not exceed 0.7 mm. The general otolith shape is ovally pointed. The sulcus runs along the length of the otolith, about of the total length. The sulcus is open at the ostium and closed at the cauda. Ostium and cauda are not distinguishable. The surface of the inside is irregular, while outside and ventral and dorsal margins are smooth. The ventral margin is straight while the dorsal margin is rounded. The rostrum is pointed, the antirostrum is indistinct. The inside is flat and the outside concave. The posterior end is pointed. Note that these otoliths are so small, that the features outlined above can only be seen under a very powerful microscope.
Otoliths of syngnathidae are all very similar. Because of their size they are easily missed in samples, however the vertebrae and denticles are much larger and useful for determination.
Vertebrae description
The body of greater pipefish vertebrae is long and thin. The body is thinnest at the centre and gradually becomes wider to the ends. The spines are placed ventrally of the centre of the vertebra. The spines are almost as long as the body of the vertebra and tend to point to the dorsal end of the vertebra. The spines are wider at the body and gradually become less wide to the point. When looked from the side it is clear to see that there are four large holes and 2 smaller holes (posteriorly) in the upper part of the vertebra body.
Vertebrae of greater pipefish resemble those of Nilsson’s pipefish Syngnathus rostellatus. The body of Nilsson’s pipefish vertebrae is longer and the spines are only to of the length of the body. The spines tend to point to the ventral end of the vertebra.
Denticle description
The denticles of greater pipefish are ovally rounded to diamond shaped. They are convex on the inside and convex on the outside. They are easily distinguished from Nilsson’s pipefish denticles. Nilsson’s pipefish denticles consist of two square, ribbed plates that are fused at an angle of about 135 degrees.
Fish length and distribution
Greater pipefish can grow up to 47 cm. Greater pipefish is (SYNGACUS.TIF) found in coastal waters and estuaries over sandy or muddy bottoms. It spawns in spring and summer (Wheeler, 1978, Nijssen and De Groot, 1987, Witte et al., 1991, Muus et al., 1999).
Greater pipefish is common in coastal waters of the NE Atlantic and North Sea.
Sample origin
Mostly fyke, but also from the Western Wadden Sea and the Southern North Sea coastal zone.