The global expert group on seahorse, pipefish and seadragon conservations[1], hosted by Project Seahorse, is inviting the world to help shed light on the mysterious ghost pipefishes. In these fantastic fishes, the females create a pouch with their fins to serve as a nest for the developing babies. We know little else.
Ghost pipefishes, close relatives of seahorses and seadragons, don’t get nearly as much attention as their famous cousins, where the male carries the babies. With Halloween here, it’s a spooktacular time to spotlight these species. Their eerie appearances, sneaky camouflage tricks, and mysterious names - like harlequin ghost pipefish and armoured ghost pipefish—add to their charm. Beyond that, almost everything about their life-history, populations, and threats remains a mystery.
Project Seahorse research biologist Syd Ascione has conducted a literature review – the first ever for this group of fishes – that is raising questions about their conservation status on the IUCN Red List, which assesses the extinction risk of species.
“Take the halimeda ghost pipefish—it’s classified as 'Data Deficient'. We don’t know if it's faring well or silently disappearing,” said Ascione. “We need at least some data to assess their status or develop precautionary conservation strategies.”
Scarily, we do know that ghost pipefish are vulnerable to the destruction of their fragile coral reef and seaweed habitats, both of which are under considerable pressure from human activities. Given their allure among scuba divers, these quirky fishes have the potential to serve as ambassadors for their homes and inspire action to reduce fisheries impact and climate change.
Project Seahorse is encouraging ocean enthusiasts to get involved by reporting sightings of these enigmatic fishes on iNaturalist.org. With every reported observation, researchers learn more about species distribution, habitat use and possible environmental pressures.
“We need lots of support to create effective conservation strategies for these species. Their unique nature and high economic value for the scuba diving industry make this information critical,” said Dr. Maarten De Brauwer, Focal point for Ghost Pipefishes in the global expert group.
Through research, collaboration, and community engagement, we aim to ensure these fascinating species don’t slip through the cracks—a horror story we are determined to avoid. So, join us in this quest and help make sure these “ghostly” fish are around for years to come.
[1] Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC). The IUCN serves as the umbrella union for the vast majority of conservation organizations: government, non-governmental, research, indigenous and ore.