Similan Islands Diving Video – Ghostpipefish
We find many different forms of life on the reefs of the Similan Islands, but one that always raises eyebrows and makes become stare is the Ghost Pipefish. These are related to the Seahorse and when you watch for a while you will see how closely related they are.
The animals, none of which are longer than 15 centimetres (5.9 in), float near motionlessly, with the mouth facing downwards, around a background that makes them nearly impossible to see. On The Similan Islands – this is usually yellow branching coral. They feed on tiny crustaceans, sucked inside through their long snout. They live in open waters except during breeding, when they find a coral reef or muddy bottom, changing color and shape to minimize visibility.
In many respects, they are similar to the pipefishes, but can be distinguished by the presence of pelvic fins, a prominent, spiny, dorsal fin, and star-shaped plates on the skin. Unlike true pipefish, female ghostpipefishes use their enlarged pelvic fins to brood their eggs until they hatch.
Join us on one of our Similan Liveaboards to experience these first hand.
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