Notes on Aquarium Brood Release and Feeding of the Opossum Pipefish, Microphis brachyurus lineatus

Abstract

The opossum pipefish, Microphis brachyurus lineatus, is a migratory syngnathid with a salmon-like life history. Adults breed in freshwater and oligohaline habitats associated with emergent vegetation, mostly Panicum sp. and Polygonum sp.; breeding occurs during the wet season (May to November). In southern Mexico, opossum pipefish associate with Ruppia maritima, and reproduction is year-round. Pelagic juveniles are found in the Atlantic Ocean and are associated with Sargassum sp.. Juveniles eventually recruit into oligohaline habitats. The species range is from Sao Paulo, Brazil, to New Jersey, USA, although the northernmost limit of permanent breeding populations occurs in the freshwater tributaries to the Indian River Lagoon in east central Florida. The opossum pipefish is one of 25 species of diadromous fish at risk of extinction in North America and is a candidate species to the US Threatened and Endangered Species List.