Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Syngnathiformes
Family: Syngnathidae
Genus: Microphis
Species: Cuncalus
(IUCN Bangladesh, 2000)
The English name for Microphis cuncalus (Hamilton, 1822), is the Crocodile-Tooth Pipefish. On the other hand, the Bengali names for this fish (Hamilton, 1822) are Kuna kumirer khil (কুনা কুমিরের খিল) and Kumirer khil (কুমিরের খিল) (Galib, 2011).
Other Scientific Names:
Doryichthys cuncalus (Hamilton, 1822)
Syngnathus cuncalus (Hamilton, 1822)
Paramicrophis schmidti (Klausewitz, 1955)
Doryichthys chokderi (Rahman, 1976)
Description of Crocodile-Tooth Pipefish
The Crocodile-Tooth Pipefish is classified as “Vulnerable” according to the IUCN Bangladesh (2000). A “Vulnerable” species is defined as a, “taxa believed likely to move into the “endangered” category in the near future if the relevant causal factors continue to operate. These factors may include overexploitation, extensive destruction of habitat and other environmental disturbances” (Glossary of Statistical Terms, 2003). This species has been recorded in several estuaries in Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Kolkota. In Bangladesh, they have been specifically recorded in the Halda river and the Padma river. The Crocodile-Tooth Pipefish has an elongated body, with a trunk and a tail consisting of 16-17 and 26-27 rings, respectively. It has small, rounded caudal and pectoral fin, as well as, a minuscule anal fin, however, the pelvic fin is absent in this species. The M. cuncalus has a greenish coloured body, with a white tint on the underside of it’s body. It’s caudal fins are reddish in colour and it also has dusky lines, which intersect one another, on the posterior aspect of it's body (Galib, 2011). According to Shafi and Quddus (2001), the maximum length recorded for the Crocodile-Tooth Pipefish, is 12.4 TL cm, while Talwar and Jhingran in 1991, recorded a maximum length of 17.5 cm SL.
M. cuncalus is found in a diverse number of habitats, however it prefers environments with low salinity or freshwater. It can be found in streams, estuaries and rivers. It is a demersal fish (lives on the bottom of the water-body), it is considered to be amphidromous (it migrates from freshwater to the sea or vice-versa for feeding, breeding or for growth) and ovoviviparous (the larvae develop within the body). The Crocodile-Tooth Pipefish also feeds on several crustacea, zooplankton and worms.
Similarities between Pipefish and Seahorses
They have similar phenotypic and genotypic traits to Seahorses, since the male holds the eggs in its brood pouch, right under the tail (IUCN Bangladesh 2000). Both seahorses and pipefish also have fused jaws to form a snout and they have a thin layer of skin, which is stretched over several bony plates. They are also both considered to be slow swimmers (Sea Life, NA).
Threats Faced by M. cuncalus and What can be Done
According to the IUCN Red List (2018), there are little known treats to this species, however, their population is still decreasing rapidly. It is assumed that the main threat is pollution, such as effluents from forestry and agriculture (herbicides and pesticides) and sewage from urban and domestic areas. In the Bhatsa River in India, the M. cuncalus is said to be extinct, due to the construction of the Pise dam. They are also fished and caught to be displayed in aquaria and for the use of traditional medicines.
It is essential that these creatures are protected, however the IUCN (2018) states that there are no management plans being implemented, therefore it is essential that more research is carried out. In my opinion, all aquarium enthusiasts must be educated in order to buy aquarium fish responsibly and to decrease purchases of vulnerable species. It would also be ideal, if the use of pesticides and herbicides could be controlled and sewage from domestic and urban areas should be re-directed and tackled appropriately.
References:
Galib, S. (2011) Crocodile-tooth pipefish, Microphis cuncalus (Hamilton, 1822), [online], Available at: http://en.bdfish.org/2011/08/crocodile-tooth-pipefish-microphis-cuncalus-hamilton-1822/, (Accessed on: 15/11/2018).
Glossary of Statistical Terms (2003) Vulnerable Species [online], Available at: https://stats.oecd.org/glossary/detail.asp?ID=2888, (Accessed on: 15/11/2018)
Hamilton F (1822) An account of the fishes found in the river Ganges and its branches. Edinburgh & London. An account of the fishes found in the river Ganges and its branches.: i-vii + 1-405, Pls. 1-39.
IUCN Bangladesh (2000) Red book of threatened fishes of Bangladesh, IUCN- The world conservation union [online], Available at: https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/RL-549.3-003-v.5.pdf, (Accessed on: 15/11/2018).
IUCN Red List (2018) Crocodile-Tooth Pipefish [online], Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/166639/60595076, (Accessed on: 16/11/2018).
Klausewitz W (1955) Paramicrophis schmidti, eine neue Seenadel aus Indien (Pisces, Syngnathidae). Senckenbergiana Biologica 36(5/6):325-327.
Rahman AKA (1976) The freshwater pipe fishes of Bangladesh, with the description of a new species. Bangladesh Journal of Zoology 4(2):43-50.
Sea Life (N.A.) Seahorses and Pipefish [online], Available at: https://www.visitsealife.com/paris/en/discover/sea-life-creatures/seahorses-and-pipefish/, (Accessed on: 16/11/18).
Shafi M and Quddus MMA (2001) Bangladesher Matsho Shampad (Fisheries of Bangladesh) (in Bengali), Kabir publication. Dhaka, Bangladesh. pp. 249-250.
Talwar PK and Jhingran AG (1991) Inland Fishes of India and Adjacent Countries, Vol. 2, Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi-Calcutta, pp. 770-771.
Image references:
Image 1: De Souza A. (2008) Crocodile Pipe Fish in my reef tank [image], Available at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gap5BK1DHuQ, (Accessed on: 16/11/2018
Image 2: IUCN Red List (2018) Crocodile-Tooth Pipefish [image], Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/166639/60595076, (Accessed on: 16/11/2018)
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