© Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia Full citation Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia: Volume 1 - Bony and Cartilaginous Fishes. Report for the South Australian Working Group for Marine Species of Conservation Concern. J. Baker (consultant); Science and Conservation Division, and Coast and Marine Conservation branches of S.A. Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH); Marine and Coastal Community Network of S.A. (MCCN), and Threatened Species Network (TSN). Web version published by Reef Watch, South Australia.

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Sawtooth Pipefish

Family Name:	Syngnathidae
Scientific Name:	Maroubra perserrata Whitley, 1948
Recommended Status in S.A:	Data Deficient, possibly Least Concern
Rationale:  Although the Sawtooth Pipefish has a broad geographic distribution, it is included here because (i) it is a species of syngnathid, from a family whose members are considered to have vulnerable population characteristics; (ii) the species is known to date from a narrow depth range (i.e. most specimens from less than 15m); (iii) little is known of the full distribution and relative abundance of this species in S.A., and there is also little information on the biology and ecology of Sawtooth Pipefish; and (iv) the species is strongly associated with near-shore reefs, and in some areas, may be vulnerable to site-specific impacts (including reef habitat damage, and illegal collecting), but there is no species-specific information; and  The paucity of records likely reflects the cryptic habits of the species, and thus the lack of sighting opportunities unless the species if specifically searched for in caves and reef crevices. Sawtooth Pipefish is likely to be relatively common in S.A. reef habitats; there are few threatening processes (compared with many other members of the Syngnathidae family), and thus the species may qualify for listing as Least Concern.

Page Contents

Current Conservation Status

Protected from capture in N.S.W., from July 1^st, 2004
All syngnathids are listed as Protected Aquatic Biota in Victoria
The Tasmanian Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 prohibits the take of all syngnathids in Tasmania (by non-permit holders, since Sep 1994)
All syngnathids are subject to the export controls of the Commonwealth Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982 from 1 January 1998.
All syngnathids and solenostomids are listed marine species under s248 of the EPBC Act 1999
Since January 2006, fishes in the Syngnathidae (seadragons, pipefish, pipehorses) have been formally protected in South Australia, under the Fisheries (General) Variation Regulations 2006 of the South Australian Fisheries Act.
 

Distribution

Southern Australia

Sawtooth Pipefish has been recorded from the Queensland / N.S.W. border area, around southern Australia (including Tasmania), to southern W.A. (Rottnest I. and Lancelin are two published western limits) (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986; Dawson, in Gomon et al., 1994; Kuiter, 2003).
 

South Australia

Examples of locations in S.A. where the Sawtooth Pipefish has been recorded include the southern metropolitan coast of Gulf St Vincent (e.g. Hallett Cove; Port Noarlunga), Fleurieu Peninsula (e.g. Normanville and Carrickalinga area, Second Valley and Rapid Bay), northern Kangaroo Island (e.g. Western River Cove and other locations along the north coast), southern Yorke Peninsula (e.g. Edithburgh) and eastern Spencer Gulf (e.g. Port Hughes) (Glover, 1979; K. Smith, unpubl. data, 2001, 2004, 2005; photographs by J. Lewis, 2004, verified by K. Smith, pers. comm., 2007; Smith, 2005, and K. Smith, pers. comm., 2007; D. Muirhead, unpubl. data, 2005; P. MacDonald, unpubl. data, 2005 - 2007; photograph by P. Mercurio, 2008; Australian Museum and South Australian Museum records, cited in OZCAM database, 2008).
 

Habitat

Sawtooth Pipefish is found in coastal subtidal reefs, and is considered common in such habitat (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986; Browne, 2004). It hides under rocks and ledges (particularly during the day), and also inhabits fissures / crevices and caves, resting on sponges, or sheltering behind sea urchins (Dawson, in Gomon et al., 1994; Kuiter, 2000; photographs by J. Lewis, 2004, and P. Mercurio, 2008).
The species associates with the Upsidedown Pipefish Heraldia nocturna, sometimes occurring in the same caves and ledge areas (Edgar, 2000).
The species is rarely recorded due to its cave and ledge association. Ledges may be shared by several individuals (Dawson, in Gomon et al., 1994; K. Smith, pers. comm., 2007). Divers in S.A. have recorded individuals and small groups (e.g. up to 4 or 5) as residents in particular caves and crevices, and thus observable repeatedly over time.
Published depth range is form the shallow subtidal to about 15m (Dawson, 1985).    
 

Notes on Biology and Behaviour

The Sawtooth Pipefish grows to at least 7.5cm (Dawson, in Gomon et al., 1994) or 8.5cm (Kuiter, 2003).
As with other cave-dwelling syngnathids (e.g. Heraldia), Maroubra perserrata is likely to be a nocturnal feeder.
Males may first brood at about 5 – 6cm SL (Dawson, 1985). When kept in aquaria, males first breed when 1 year old, and produce a brood about every month during the summer months (Kuiter, 2003). Fully grown males produce about 60 eggs per batch. The eggs are large, and hatch after about 22 days (Kuiter, 2003). 

Fisheries / Trade Information

In a draft ecological risk assessment, Maroubra perserrata was ranked as being at “medium risk” of population impacts from operation of the otter trawl sub-fishery and the Danish seine sub-fishery of the South East Trawl Fishery (Wayte et al., 2004); however, given the habitat of this species, it is very unlikely that it would be caught in these fisheries.
In a draft ecological risk assessment for the Gillnet, Hook and Trap fishery (GHAT) (Webb et al., 2004), Maroubra perserrata was ranked as being at “medium” risk of population impacts from the operation of each of the following sectors: southern shark gillnet sub-fishery, and the southern shark demersal long-line sub-fishery; scalefish demersal long-line sub-fishery, scalefish automatic long-lining sub-fishery, and scalefish drop-line sub-fishery (Webb et al., 2004). It is noted, however, that bycatch information for Sawtooth Pipefish is not available for those fisheries, and it was not listed in the species reported from bycatch surveys (e.g. Knuckey et al, 2001; Walker et al., 2003; Webb et al., 2004). Given the depths at which the GHAT fishery operates, the incidence of capture is likely to be very low, if at all.   
 

Vulnerable Characteristics of the Species, and Threatening Processes

Many of the life history characteristics of syngnathids make them susceptible to impacts, and vulnerable to population decline. Such characteristics include low population densities; strong habitat association; small home range sizes and low mobility; possible low rates of natural adult mortality (due to low levels of predation, hence human-induced mortality may disrupt population dynamics); monogamy and localised reproduction; aggregation (in some species) for feeding and/or breeding; small brood sizes, and strong association between adults and young.
The strong association of this species with reef habitats may make it vulnerable to site-specific impacts (including reef habitat damage, and illegal collecting), but there is no species-specific information. 

Research Requirements

There are very few records of this species from South Australia, likely due to the species’ preference for subtidal caves as habitat. Surveys in suitable habitats may improve knowledge of the distribution and relative abundance of this species in South Australia.