Common Name: Duncker’s Pipehorse.

Distribution: Common in the deeper waters of the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Endemic to Australia it is found from the northern end of Fraser Island (K’gari) south to Newcastle in New South Wales, and at Lord Howe Island.

Ecological Notes: Frequents areas of deeper reef, often in association with gorgonians, black coral trees, algae and sponges. Depth to at least 32 m.

Additional Notes: Rarely observed by divers, most sightings occur when dead specimens are found washed up on beaches. Variable colouration from cream through to brown or even black with pinkish-orange and dark markings along the superior ridges on its back and 10 -11 irregularly shaped, indistinct, pale pinkish or dark bands on back and sides. There are also dark markings along the underside of the tail. In dark specimens the tip of the snout is often pale. Specimen pictured around 40 cm long.

References: Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Solegnathus+dunckeri. Accessed 13/01/2022.