First Record of Bellybarred Pipefish, Hippichthys spicifer (Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae) from the west coast of India

Syngnathidae comprising of seahorse, seadragons and pipefishes are important ornamental fishes highly valued in the aquarium trade. The bellybarred pipefish, Hippichthys spicifer was recorded for the first time from the west coast of India in Cochin Estuary, Kerala. To date, in India, this species has been exclusively reported on the east coast. A single adult (106 mm SL) and two larval specimens (9.5 mm SL and 7.47 mm SL) were collected during the routine zooplankton survey from the Cochin Estuary. The geographical distribution of this pipefish ranges from marine, brackish to freshwater ecosystems of the Indo–Pacific region. The adult had characteristic features of 25 dorsal fin rays, 17 pelvic fin rays, 10 caudal fin rays, 14 trunk rings and 42 tail rings. The dorsal-fin origin was posterior to second tail ring in both adult and larval specimens. Larvae had characteristic dark bands on the tail and a gas bladder behind its pectoral fin. Hippichthys spicifer is a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, (Schedule I, Part E of Amendment Act, 2022). The first report of this species in the west coast of India signifies the need to evaluate its current status in the ecosystem and to conserve its habitat aimed at protection of this important species in the future.