Stigmatopora argus

Relatively straight bodies in the syngnathid family are commonly called pipefishes, a term alluding to a resemblance in shape to pipecleaners. The spotted pipefish and its relative, the wide-bodied pipefish Stigmatopora nigra, are the only two species of pipefish in southern Australia that lack a tail fin. S nigra is easily confused with S argus but differs from that species in having the dorsal fin further forward on the body (originating on the fifth to seventh trunk ring, rather than on the ninth to thirteenth). These two are also the most abundant pipefish species. Although rarely seen because they match eelgrass leaves in shape and colour, large numbers will be captured by hauling a small seine net through virtually any seagrass bed. The spotted pipefish can also be recognised by its olive-green colour and (usually) black spots along the upper surface. Like other pipefishes, the colour becomes most intense in males during the breeding season when they are competing for mates.