Few Rayed Pipefish

Superior trunk ridge not continuous with superior tail ridge; inferior trunk ridge continuous with inferior trunk ridge; lateral trunk ridge straight, ending near anal ring; median dorsal snout ridge discontinuous with a pair of semi-isolated, ridge-like crests; each side of snout with a small conical projection; total body rings 44; dorsal rays 17 (Ref. 31114). Caudal fin minute (Ref. 31114).Description: Characterized by whitish color with faint dusky bars across dorsal and ventral surfaces; dorsal bars at intervals of every 3-4 body rings and ventral bars on every ring; 10 caudal rays; rings 16 + 28; length of snout 2.6-3.3 in head length (Ref. 90102).

Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch (Ref. 205).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 17; Analsoft rays: 4

Bottom with scattered coral formations and algal covered coralline rock (Ref. 31114).

Known from a single specimen collected from a reef slope with algae-covered coralline rock-rubble (Ref. 48635). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).

Bhanotia pauciradiata (few-rayed pipefish) is a little known marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. This species is only known from a single specimen, which was found on a reef slope near Indonesia, at a depth of around 10–12 m (33–39 ft). The specimen was 3.2 centimetres (1.3 in) long. This species is ovoviviparous, with the male carrying eggs in its brood pouch until giving birth to live young.