Syngnathidae

Brushtail pipefish

Leptoichthys fistularius

Male tail pouch holds eggs

• Temperate
• Local endemic species
• Restricted distribution
• Marine fish
• Indian Ocean
• Oceania
• Anguilliform
• Large
• Temperate fish

Leptoichthys fistularius, the brush-tailed pipefish, is a species of pipefish of the family Syngnathidae, found in shallow to intermediate depths off the coast of southern Australia, usually in seagrass beds. This species is the largest known species of pipefish, growing to a maximum of 63 cm (25 in) in length. Like other pipefishes, the male carries the fertilized eggs in a pouch under his tail until they hatch.