Dunckerocampus pessuliferus (yellowbanded pipefish), occasionally Doryrhamphus pessuliferus, is a species of marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. It is a coastal species, inhabiting waters around the Coral Triangle, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and northwestern Australia.[1] It lives in coral patches on sandy and muddy slopes at depths of 15–44 metres (49–144 ft), where it can grow to lengths of 16 centimetres (6.3 in).[2] It is an active cleaner, feeding off of parasitic crustaceans growing on other fishes.[1] The adult fish form pairs and are normally observed swimming along the bottom around large remote coral heads on muddy slopes.[3] This species is ovoviviparous, with males carrying eggs and giving birth to live young.[1]
The head and body of D. pessuliferus have alternating reddish-brown and yellow bands, while the tail is mostly red with a yellow spot in the center and marginal white markings.[5]
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