Seahorses, pipefish,
and sea dragons
belong to a family of
fish known as Syng-
nathidae, a taxonomic
group that includes
295 species. Among
the family traits are
long snouts, fused
jaws, and bony body
armor. After fertilizing
the eggs, males carry
them during incuba-
tion. Many species,such as the weedy sea
dragon (inset below)
and the ribboned
pipefish (right), are
masters of disguise.
HALIICHTHYS TAENIOPHORUS (RIGHT)
BIRCH AQUARIUMPHYLLOPTERYX TAENIOLATUS (ABOVE), AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
Meet the Cousins