Scientific Name
Festucalex scalaris

Common Name
Ladder pipefish

Biology
Most specimens are from trawls but one collection taken from a pond; some taken among weed and algae. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Males may be brooding at 12 cm SL.

Classification

Classified By

G?nther, 1870

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Pipefishes and Seahorses (Syngnathiformes)

Family

Pipefishes and seahorses (Syngnathidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Indian Ocean

Distribution

Eastern Indian Ocean: endemic to Australia.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal

Trophic Level

3.38 s.e. 0.47 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

18.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (23 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated