Some type of Pipefish

[supergaijin]

Ciao- I found this in the lagoon today, and am undecided on what type of pipefish it may be... Perhaps it's wishful thinking but I'm hoping it's a 'Pygmy Pipefish' however... it may just be a juvenile of the 'Stick Pipefish' (Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus) which is not uncommon in Maldivian lagoons. It wrapped its tail around some sea grass in a way that I have not observed from other pipefishes in the Maldives.

Any help would be much appreciated

Apologies for the poor quality but this thing was tiny and I have no macro lense.

Location: Laamu Atoll, Maldives (lagoon)
Depth: 6m
Time: 4pm
Size: approx 1 inch.

For reference this is the 'Stick Pipefish' that I was referring to which is normally 12 inches or longer.

 

[LembehR&Critters]

Looks more like a pygmy pipefish, as it has different shape head and snout to the stick pipefish.

 

[supergaijin]

I agree that it looks different than the 'Stick'. Just trying to get some people with more knowledge of these guys to weigh in.

Thanks for yours...

 

[KeithG]

I would go by the behavior of wrapping its tail around something. In the Caribbean it is called a pipe horse.Pipe Horse | www.kengiffen.com

Not sure what it is called in your area.

 

[Nishan]

Definitely looks like a pipehorse. There are several species in the Indian Ocean. I remember seeing several of them at Hani Faaru in Baa Atoll so obviously around in the Maldives.

 

[lagomorpheus]

Also agree with the pipehorse ID. Pipefish don't usually wrap their tail around stuff.