---
title: Hairy Pygmy Pipehorse (Acentronura tentaculata)
scientific_name: Acentronura tentaculata
common_name: Hairy Pygmy Pipehorse
taxon: Pipefishes
conservation_status: LC - Least Concern
published: 2024-10-30T09:31:23.314Z
updated: 2026-08-07T21:04:58.327Z
tags: Hairy Pygmy Pipehorse, Acentronura tentaculata, Pipefishes, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/pipefishes/hairy-pygmy-pipehorse
---

# Hairy Pygmy Pipehorse (*Acentronura tentaculata*)

## Quick facts

- **Group:** Pipefishes (*Syngnathinae*)
- **Size:** 6.3 cm
- **Depth:** 1-20 m
- **Conservation status:** LC - Least Concern

Acentronura tentaculata, commonly referred to as the shortpouch pygmy pipehorse, northern little pipehorse, or dwarf pipehorse, represents a species within the family Syngnathidae. The classification of this species has been the subject of debate, with some experts asserting that Acentronura breviperula should be considered synonymous with Acentronura tentaculata. The potential distribution of this species could extend across the western Indo-Pacific region, ranging from East Africa to New Caledonia and the northern Great Barrier Reef. However, alternative perspectives suggest that Acentronura tentaculata may be endemic to the Red Sea.

## Also known as

- **English:** Shortpouch Pygmy Pipehorse, Dwarf Pipehorse
- **Hebrew:** לופתנית הבחנינים
- **French:** Pseudo-hippocampe pygmée du Mozambique
- **Italian:** Pesce ago nano
- **Spanish:** Pez pipa enano
- **Czech:** jehla nenápadná
- **Japanese:** タツノハトコ, Tatsunohatoko

## Scientific synonyms

- *Acentronura mossambica* Smith, 1963
- *Syngnathoides algensis* Fourmanoir, 1955

## Range

Djibouti, Madagascar, Mozambique

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*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/pipefishes/hairy-pygmy-pipehorse)*
*Updated: August 7, 2026*