Southernmost record of the starry pipefish Halicampus punctatus (Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae)

Abstract

The starry pipefish Halicampus punctatus, formerly known only from Japan and Korea, is reported herein in Taiwan for the first time; this represents the southernmost record of this species. The sole specimen was captured off Pengjia Islet, Northern Taiwan on 19 August 2021 and can be distinguished from local congeners by its blue spots on the dorsal side and upper lateral trunk, as well as its 14 upturned, U-shaped, black marks on the lower later trunk.