The beady pipefish (Hippichthys penicillus) is a species of pipefish of the family Syngnathidae. It is found in the Indo-West Pacific, from the western Persian Gulf, to the north central Indian Ocean, to Japan and Australia.[1] It lives in the lower parts of streams and rivers, estuarine habitats such as seagrass beds and mangroves, and shallow inshore habitats, where it can grow to lengths of NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches).[2] [1] It is expected to feed on small crustaceans, similar to other pipefish. This species is ovoviviparous, with males carrying eggs in a brood pouch before giving birth to live young. Average brood size is 177.[1] [2]
H. penicuillus is usually tan, greenish, or brown, with narrow pale bars across the back and dark edged white spots on the sides. The sides of tail rings usually have a pale blotch on or above the inferior ridge.[3]