SNIPEFISH

Family Macrohamphodidae

SNIPEFISH

Macrohamphosus scolopax

This is a curiously shaped fish, unmistakable with its compressed body and elongated snout. Swimming in small groups, snout downwards, it hunts for small crustaceans, worms and fish fry around the deeper coral reefs. Generally inhabiting muddy or soft sandy areas, it is often associated with sea pens. Ecology: The Snipefish has a tiny mouth at the end of a long snout in front of large conspicuous eyes and is usually only found in depths greater than about 25m (80ft).