Genus: Halicampus, Banded Pipefish, Pipefishes
snout: short, central and side ridges well developed
D 16-26
C 10
pectoral 10-20
lower body & tail ridges NOT joined
A present
A present
brood pouch under tail
HALICAMPUS
PIPEFISHES
Snout short, with ridge (often elevated and spiny) all along center; ridge on side of snout; usually skin flaps over eyes; ridge along operculum angles up and back; upper ridges of body and tail interrupted near rear of dorsal fin; lower trunk ridge and lateral tail ridge both end near anus; side trunk ridge joins lower tail ridge; trunk rings 13-18, total rings 39-56; dorsal fin rays 16-26 anal fin present; pectoral fin rays 10-20; no pelvic fins; tail fin typically 10; brood pouch under tail rings 10-17, pouch plates not very enlarged, pouch semi-open.
A genus that occurs in the W Atlantic and Indo-central Pacific, with 9 species; 1 W Atlantic species, in the Greater Caribbean.
