The upside-down pipefish (Heraldia nocturna) is a species of pipefish endemic to the coasts of southern Australia, from New South Wales to Geographe Bay in Western Australia,[2] where it is found in rocky reefs at depths of from 2 to 15 metres (6.6 to 49.2 ft). It grows to a length of 9.2 centimetres (3.6 in) SL. This species is the only known member of its genus.[3] Like other pipefish it is ovoviviparous but it may breed seasonally, as gravid males have been collected between September and November.[1]
| Heraldia nocturna | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Syngnathiformes |
| Family: | Syngnathidae |
| Subfamily: | Syngnathinae |
| Genus: | Heraldia |
| Species: | H. nocturna |
| Binomial name | |
| Heraldia nocturna Paxton, 1975 | |
Etymology
This genus was named in honor of Earl Stannard Herald, an American expert on syngnathids who died as a result of a diving accident off of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[4] The common name, "upside-down pipefish", comes from its habit of swimming upside down in caves before emerging at night to feed,[1] and this nocturnal habit gives rise to its specific name, nocturna.[2]