Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and seahorses)

These fishes have elongated, narrow, bodies surrounded by a series of bony rings, and small, tubular mouths. The most defining characteristic of this order is their reserve sexual system. In this order, males conduct in specialized brooding and rearing of the embryos. The males house eggs in an osmoregulated pouch or adhere eggs to their tail until the eggs reach maturity.

• There are about 370 described species belonging to this order.