Cosmocampus elucens (shortfin pipefish, or Poey's pipefish) is a species of marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. It is found in the western Atlantic, off the U.S. east coast, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, throughout the Caribbean Sea, and off the coast of Brazil.[1] It lives in seagrass and algae beds, typically at shallow depths (although it has been found at depths up to 78m (256feet)), where it can grow to lengths of 15cm (06inches).[2] It is expected to feed on small crustaceans, similar to other pipefishes.[1] This species is ovoviviparous, with males carrying eggs and giving birth to live young.[2]
This species can be identified by its slender body, tan to greenish brown colouring, mottled upper body and sides, widely spaced pale bars along its trunk, and pair of dark stripes behind its eyes.[3]