''Histiogamphelus'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of fish known as the crested pipefishes. They belong to the family Syngnathidae and are

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

to the southern coast of

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

and

Tasmania ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdi ...

. They have a characteristic "crest" on the snout, which can help distinguish them from other related genera within the sub-family Syngnathinae. Their brown-tan coloration may mimic the Posidonia

sea grass Seagrasses are the only flowering plants which grow in marine environments. There are about 60 species of fully marine seagrasses which belong to four families (Posidoniaceae, Zosteraceae, Hydrocharitaceae and Cymodoceaceae), all in the orde ...

in which they are often found. Like all syngnathids, the male broods the eggs in a brood pouch (in this genus located under the tail).

Species

There are currently two recognized species in this genus: * '' Histiogamphelus briggsii'' McCulloch, 1914 (Briggs' pipefish) * '' Histiogamphelus cristatus'' W. J. Macleay, 1881 (Macleay's crested pipefish)

References

Syngnathidae Ray-finned fish genera {{Syngnathiformes-stub