What family do pipefishes belong to?

Pipefishes, seahorses, and seadragons together form the family Syngnathidae.

Why are they called pipefish?

The subfamily name (Syngnathinae) references the fused jaw shared by these fishes; the common name reflects their elongated, pipe-like bodies.

Are pipefishes large or small?

They are described as small fishes.

Which seadragon genera are mentioned as relatives?

Phycodurus and Phyllopteryx are cited as the seadragon genera associated with the family Syngnathidae.

What does the scientific name mean?

The name comes from Ancient Greek σύν (sún) meaning "together" and γνάθος (gnáthos) meaning "jaw," referring to the fused jaw.

Do pipefishes have a fused jaw?

Yes; the fused jaw is a characteristic shared by species in the subfamily.

Is the guide about a single species?

This guide covers the pipefishes as a subfamily (Syngnathinae), not a single species.

Are seahorses and pipefishes closely related?

Yes; seahorses and pipefishes are part of the same family, Syngnathidae.

Where to See Pipefish While Diving

Pipefishes (Syngnathinae) are a subfamily of small fishes. Together with seahorses and seadragons (Phycodurus and Phyllopteryx) they make up the family Syngnathidae. The subfamily name refers to a shared fused jaw structure.

The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Koh Tao, Phuket, Coral Coast, Viti Levu and countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt for divers building trips around pipefish.