Species: Syngnathus texanus, Texas pipefish

Syngnathus texanus Gilbert, 2013

Texas pipefish

Snout moderately short and deep (length 38.5-47.6% of head, depth 20-42% of its length); narrow vertical bone in front of eye; no ridge above operculum, or along side of snout; ridges along top of snout and head low; opercular ridge only on front 1/3 of opercle in adults; dorsal fin 35-41 rays, with 8.25-10 rings under fin, fin origin on trunk, well before anus; anal fin 2-4; pectoral fin 13-16; no pelvic fins; tail fin 10; main body ridges low; ridge along side of body ends under dorsal fin, not joining that along side of tail; upper ridge of body discontinuous with that of tail just behind dorsal fin; ridges along bottom of body and tail joined; trunk rings 18 (17-19), under dorsal fin 8.5-10; tail rings 33-34; no skin flaps; brood pouch under tail, its plates folded inwards.