This male banded pipefish (Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus: 15 cms.) is carrying eggs. Unusually in the animal kingdom, the female transfers her fertilised eggs to the male who 'looks after them' until they are 'born'. A pregnant father! The species used to be common in the Indo-Pacific region but, while only scant scientific data appear to be available, it is encountered more rarely than was the case twenty years ago. It is said that this is because of reef degradation due to climate change, collection for aquaria and use in traditional medicine. Photographed in Balinese waters, Indonesia.

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Size: 4666px × 2694px
Location: Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
Photo credit: © Terence Dormer / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: adventure, aquarium, bali, banded, carrying, coral, creation, dactyliophorus, degradation, dunckerocampus, eggs, fathers, indonesia, male, medicine, natural, picture, pipefish, pregnant, reef, ringed, selection, trade, traditional, trd5143