The Lembeh Seadragon, Thread Pipefish, Rumengan’s Pipehorse – Kyonemichthys rumengani is a fascinating and elusive species of pipefish. This diminutive marine creature is known for its unique appearance and its relatively limited distribution.
Description & Characteristics
The Kyonemichthys rumengani is a small pipefish, reaching a maximum size of only 2.7 cm. Its body is slender and elongated, resembling a thread or a piece of seaweed. Its color is typically a pale brown or tan, blending seamlessly with its surroundings. This coloration provides excellent camouflage, making it difficult to spot in its natural habitat.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Lembeh Seadragon, Thread Pipefish, Rumengan’s Pipehorse – Kyonemichthys rumengani has a limited distribution, occurring primarily in the waters surrounding Lembeh Island in Indonesia. This small pipefish is typically found in shallow reefs, preferring depths between 15.0 and 20.0 meters. It is common in the marine zone known as the neritic zone, which extends from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The species Kyonemichthys rumengani belongs to the family Syngnathidae, which includes seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons. This family is further classified within the Order Syngnathiformes, a group of fish characterized by their elongated bodies and bony plates. Syngnathiformes falls under the Class Teleostei, which encompasses most of the bony fish species.
Feeding
Like other pipefishes, the Kyonemichthys rumengani is a specialized feeder. Its diet consists primarily of zooplankton, including brine shrimp nauplii, brine shrimps, mysis, phytoplankton, and plankton. It uses its long snout to suck up its prey from the water column.
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