Sargassum Pipefish

Syngnathus pelagicus

The Sargassum Pipefish is a slender, eel-like fish with a long snout, typically reaching up to 21.2 cm in length. It is primarily found in the western Atlantic, ranging from Maine in the United States to Argentina, including Bermuda, Nova Scotia, the Antilles, and the western Caribbean Sea from Yucatan to Colombia. Divers might encounter the Sargassum Pipefish in subtropical marine environments, often within floating Sargassum rafts. This unique reproductive strategy is common among pipefish. The Sargassum Pipefish is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Divers observing this species can expect to find it in shallower waters, as 65% of recorded observations occur at depths less than 40 meters. It poses no threat to humans and is considered harmless.