New ghost pipefish species discovered in the Pacific

Researchers Graham Short and David Harasti have identified a new species of ghost pipefish, named Solenostomus snuffleupagus, in the Pacific Ocean. The discovery, published in the Journal of Fish Biology, describes a tiny fish covered in long filaments that allow it to camouflage effectively among red filamentous algae.

Due to its irregular, shaggy silhouette, the species was previously misidentified as Solenostomus paegnius. The researchers confirmed the distinction through traditional taxonomy, genetic analysis, and micro-computed tomography, revealing a 22% difference in mitochondrial DNA sequences. The species name is a reference to the Sesame Street character Snuffleupagus, reflecting its hairy appearance and the difficulty scientists faced in identifying it.

Historical records of the fish date back to 2003 in Papua New Guinea and specimens found in Queensland, Australia, since 1993. The discovery highlights the ongoing biodiversity richness within marine ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef.