The Hairy Pipefish is a protected species and is related to the seahorse. Pipefish look like straight-bodied seahorses with tiny mouths.

They inhabit sheltered areas in coral reefs, seagrass beds and sandy lagoons and have been seen in Narrabeen and Manly Lagoons.

Their bodies usually have hairy seaweed-like skin flaps, which help them hide by mimicking the seagrasses and seaweeds they live in. The male carries around 48 eggs in a pouch beneath their tail before giving live birth to fully formed offspring (ovoviviparity).

To protect the Pipefish, don't disturb seagrasses or plants along creek banks and be careful about how you dispose of rubbish and other pollutants that may end up in our waterways.