Nerophis lumbriciformis eggs and embryos

[Rikisub]

Seahorses are famous for being the males who actually "get pregnant" and carry the eggs in a brood pouch, but they are not the only Syngnathids to do so. Pipefish males also carry the fertilised eggs. They lack the brood pouch, but they firmly stick the eggs all along their belly. Thus, they are easily seen. I enclose three images:
First: an image showing this little beautiful fish (It is a small and slender green-brown pipefish, with a vermiform shape and an upwardly pointing snout. The sexes are dimorphic in size (females are larger), colour (females are more conspicuously coloured) and behaviour. The maximum size for males is about 15 cm. Taken underwater, directly from nature.

Second: eggs stuck to a male belly. 5X, JML 21 mm, extension tubes. Sony Nex 6. WeMacro rail.

Third: eggs and embryos clearly seen. 7,3X. Nikkor BD plan x10, adaptors & extension tubes. Sony Nex - 6; Wemacro rail.

Wishing you may like them or, at least, find the post interesting. Best regards!

Peces214 by Rikisub, en Flickr

2018-07-23-23.59.37 ZS retouched by Rikisub, en Flickr

2018-07-23-23.47.26 ZS retouched by Rikisub, en Flickr

[Lou Jost]

Very nice images!

[MarkSturtevant]

Very interesting, and beautifully photographed.

[Beatsy]

Well, I never knew that. Great images too. Thanks.