The upside-down pipefish (Heraldia nocturna) is a species of pipefish endemic to the coasts of southern Australia, from New South Wales to Geographe Bay in Western Australia,[2] where it is found in rocky reefs at depths of from 2 to 15 metres (6.6 to 49.2 ft). It grows to a length of 9.2 centimetres (3.6 in) SL. This species is the only known member of its genus.[3] Like other pipefish it is ovoviviparous but it may breed seasonally, as gravid males have been collected between September and November.[1]

Heraldia nocturna
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Syngnathiformes
Family: Syngnathidae
Subfamily: Syngnathinae
Genus: Heraldia
Species:
H. nocturna
Binomial name
Heraldia nocturna
Paxton, 1975

Etymology

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This genus was named in honor of Earl Stannard Herald, an American expert on syngnathids who died as a result of a diving accident off of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[4] The common name, "upside-down pipefish", comes from its habit of swimming upside down in caves before emerging at night to feed,[1] and this nocturnal habit gives rise to its specific name, nocturna.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Jamieson, O. & Pollom, R. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Heraldia nocturna". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T65368085A115424228. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T65368085A67624180.en.
  2. ^ a b Bray, D.J. & Thompson, V.J. (2017). "Heraldia nocturna". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 2 Jun 2018.
  3. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Heraldia nocturna". FishBase.
  4. ^ John R. Paxton (1975). "Heraldia nocturna, a new genus and species of pipefish (family Syngnathidae) from eastern Australia with comments on Maroubra perserrata Whitley"" (PDF). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 4th series. 40: 439–447. ISSN 0068-547X. Wikidata Q123987044.
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