Author: Nilsson, 1855
Syngnathus rostellatus Nilsson, 1855
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Syngnathus rostellatus Nilsson, 1855 (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: rings 13-17 + 37-42, D 33-45, P 10-13, total subdorsal rings 9-12. Snout length less than half head length; median dorsal post-orbital part of head not elevated. Colour: usually brown on dorsum and side, occasionally with dark bars; ventral surface pale to cream, with silvery sheen on head and trunk; dorsal fin mainly hyaline. Size: to 17 cm TL.
Habitat: coasts and estuaries to about 18 m, most common in 0.6- 1.8 m; often on sandy shores amongst floating or attached seaweed. Food: no data. Reproduction: mostly brooding April-August. Males mature at about 10 cm, egg diameter about 1.5 mm; early free-living young 13-14 mm TL.
Distribution: southerly portions of British Isles and Atlantic coasts from Bergen (Norway) southwards to Biscay.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. Ehrenbaum, 1909: 324, fig. 119.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.