Seahorses, Pipefishes and Their
Relatives - A Comprehensive Guide to Syngnathiformes - Revised Edition 2003
by Rudie H Kuiter
Seahorses
are amongst the most unusual of all fishes and probably the most
"un-fishlike". They have an upright posture, a head bent at an angle,
a tubed snout with a small mouth at the tip, and a strong prehensile tail to
grab onto things. A look that is far from the familiar scaly creature caught on
line and hook.
It is not surprising that many people find it difficult to believe that they are
actually a kind of fish, one that belongs to the same phylum as the Goldfish or
Herring, that at some stage were thought to be insects. However, Seahorses are
only the better known members of a large diverse group, the Pipefish family.
These fishes have adapted to specific niches in reef or algal habitats, and a
long time of evolution has created this numerous and highly diverse family.
Besides the Seahorses, this family encompasses Seadragons, Pipefishes and
Pipehorses, amongst which are some of the most fascinating and interesting
examples of adaptations to nature."
This 240 page book gives detailed information on over 350 different species and
includes Seahorses, Pipefishes, Seadragons, Shrimpfishes, Trumpetfishes and
Seamoths as well as a list of all known species of the World.
With more than 1000 spectacular photographs, most taken in the fishes’ natural
habitats, the book contains a wealth of information about habitats and
behaviour, including details of ideal aquarium set ups for each species.
Pictured contents pages and a comprehensive index means information can be found
quickly and easily. A really stunning and fascinating guide to some of the
ocean's most beautiful species of fish.