Pipe Fish
Doryichthys spinosus , Microphis boaja , Syngnathus boaja , Syngnathus jullieni , Syngnathus zonatus
Character: Body typically slender and elongate, without scales, encased in a series of bony rings. Snout short. Superior trunk and tail ridges discontinuous; inferior trunk and tail ridges continuous; lateral trunk ridge straight, ends near anal ring. Median dorsal snout ridge low, entired; principal body riddges somewhat elevated, the posterior angles of rings produced to prominent spine-like points; dorsal-fin origin on trunk, the fin-base not elevated; scutella without longitudinal keels; without dermal flaps. Rings 22-24 + 32-38, darsal-fin rays 43-65, pectoral-fin rays 22-27. Conspicuous color pattern in life with alternating blue and brown bars.
Habitat: Largest freshwater pipefish. Found in rivers and streams. Feeds on small crustaceans, worms and insects.
Distribution: Distributed in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam, China and Taiwan. It is found in southwestern and northern Taiwanese waters.