Ornate Ghost Pipefish

Photo: pincetczy · CC BY-NC

Ornate ghost pipefish hang head-down among crinoid arms and hydroids at Masaplod Norte, their elaborate skin filaments creating near-perfect mimicry of their host's texture and colour. Females carry eggs in a modified pelvic fin pouch, and pairs are frequently encountered drifting together in a synchronised head-down pose that makes identification a puzzle even for experienced macro divers.