Cleaner Pipefish

Appearance

''Doryrhamphus janssi'' has a long, slender body with an elongated, tubular mouth. It's a small sized fish which can reach a maximal length of 14 cm. The body of this species is bright orange while the head and anterior portion of the trunk are blue. Its tail is flag-like with a black background color, white margin and white dot in the center.

Naming

The specific name honours Edwin Janns Jr., a Los Angeles property developer who had a keen interest in marine biology.

Distribution

The Janss' pipefish is found in the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific area, from Indonesia to the Philippines, this latter is the northern and eastern limit of the species distribution. It likes sheltered inner reef and it is usually observed under small coral overhangs and crevices.

Behavior

''Doryrhamphus janssi'' is a cleaner fish specialised in small fish like apogonids and damselfishes, they usually work in couple. It is ovoviviparous and like for the seahorse, the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch.

Habitat

The Janss' pipefish is found in the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific area, from Indonesia to the Philippines, this latter is the northern and eastern limit of the species distribution.
It likes sheltered inner reef and it is usually observed under small coral overhangs and crevices.