{{Short description|Species of fish}} {{Speciesbox | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name = IUCN>{{cite iucn | author1 = Jamieson, O. | author2 = Pollom, R. | name-list-style = amp | year = 2016 | title = ''Heraldia nocturna'' |errata=2017 | volume = 2016 | article-number = e.T65368085A115424228 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T65368085A67624180.en }}</ref> | taxon = Heraldia nocturna | display_parents = 3 | authority = Paxton, 1975 }}

The '''upside-down pipefish''' (''Heraldia nocturna'') is a species of pipefish endemic to the coasts of southern Australia, from New South Wales to Geographe Bay in Western Australia,<ref name = FoA/> where it is found in rocky reefs at depths of from {{convert|2|to|15|m|ft}}. It grows to a length of {{convert|9.2|cm|in}} SL. This species is the only known member of its genus.<ref name = FishBase>{{FishBase |genus= Heraldia|species= nocturna| month = February = 2018}}</ref> Like other pipefish it is ovoviviparous but it may breed seasonally, as gravid males have been collected between September and November.<ref name = IUCN/>

== Etymology == This genus was named in honor of Earl Stannard Herald, an American expert on syngnathids who died as a result of a diving accident off of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.<ref name = Paxton>{{cite Q|Q123987044}}</ref> The common name, "upside-down pipefish", comes from its habit of swimming upside down in caves before emerging at night to feed,<ref name = IUCN/> and this nocturnal habit gives rise to its specific name, ''nocturna''.<ref name = FoA>{{cite web | author1 = Bray, D.J. | author2 = Thompson, V.J. | name-list-style = amp | year = 2017 | title = ''Heraldia nocturna'' | work = Fishes of Australia | publisher = Museums Victoria | access-date = 2 Jun 2018 | url = http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1531}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1531 Fishes of Australia: ''Heraldia nocturna'']

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2042318}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Syngnathidae Category:Marine fish of Southern Australia Category:Taxa named by John Richard Paxton Category:Fish described in 1975

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