Northern Pipefish 339 



Distribution: This species occurs in both fresh and salt 

 water in the northern parts of both the eastern and western 

 hemispheres. In the western Atlantic it is found from the 

 Arctic Ocean to New Jersey. 

 Size: Reaches about 3 inches in length. 

 General Information: The Nine-spined Stickleback is a 

 shallow-water species most often found in the sheltered 

 waters of harbors, bays, and salt marshes or in coastal 

 fresh-water lakes and ponds. Spawning occurs in early 

 spring. The male usually builds a nest of vegetation among 

 the water plants and guards the eggs until they hatch. 

 Economic Importance: None. A hardy aquarium fish like 

 most of its relatives. 



Northern Pipefish 

 Syngnathus fuscus Storer 



Color: Various, depending on surroundings. May be olive 

 green, shades of brown, or shades of red. 

 Distribution: Occurs from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. 

 Size: Reaches a length of about one foot. 

 General Information: The Northern Pipefish is found in 

 quiet coastal salt and brackish waters among seaweeds and 

 eelgrass. Sometimes it is found offshore near the surface of 

 the water, usually under floating seaweed. Breeding occurs 

 in spring and summer. The Northern Pipefish, like the 

 other pipefishes and sea horses, carries its eggs and de- 

 veloping young in a sac located on the lower, rear part 

 of the body. Only the male carries the young. The female 

 deposits its eggs into the brood sac of the male, where 

 they are fertilized. In about 10 days the young hatch and 

 leave the pouch. They are now about half an inch long 



