Solenostomidae

ghost pipefish

Solenostomus cyanopterus

Changes color to mimic seagrass shape

• Tropical
• Transcontinental
• Marine fish
• Pacific Ocean
• Africa
• East Asia
• Oceania
• Other
• Medium
• Tropical fish

The robust ghost pipefish (Solenostomus cyanopterus), also known as the blue-finned ghost pipefish, Racek's ghost pipefish, robust-snouted ghost pipefish, or the squaretail ghost-pipefish, is a species of false pipefish belonging to the family Solenostomidae. Its appearance can vary greatly due to its ability to change colors over several hours, but the general body shape and fin shapes allow it to mimic a piece of seagrass. Due to a wide range and adaptability to habitat, the robust ghost pipefish is considered a species of least concern by the IUCN. Its natural camouflage abilities allow it to evade predators while seeking out its own prey, which includes bottom-dwelling crustaceans and plankton.