Robust ghost pipefish

Photo: Franco Colnago · CC BY-NC

Masters of camouflage, robust ghost pipefish drift head-down among seagrass, algae, and feather stars, mimicking the texture and colour of their chosen backdrop so completely they are virtually invisible until they move. Unlike true pipefish, females carry the eggs in a brood pouch formed by their fused pelvic fins. Pairs often hover together, and because they remain stationary for extended periods, they become regular residents of specific rubble patches that experienced guides track.