Syngnathids (Seahorses, pipefish, sea dragons etc.) are protected species in South Australia and are give blanket protection.  If these fish are captured during sampling they must be immediately returned to the sea.  However, for their conservation if accidentally captured it is important to record their species and sex.

It can be quite confusing when you first try to identify your samples.  However, you will quickly learn to easily identify the most common species.  Often only a few species that are readily distinguishable make up the bulk of the catch at any location.  These can often be distinguished by their shape and colour pattern.

A species list specific to your location will be invaluable in identifying species.  For instance instead of having fifty or sixty of a group such as pipefish to choose from for identification you may have only five.  These five will probably be easily distinguished with the aid of pictures on an identification sheet.  The identification sheet for each location can be constructed using the thumbnails from the IFG website.

However, some species even from the same location are difficult to distinguish from images.  This can particularly apply to juveniles who have not developed their adult form or coloration. If you have difficulty in identifying or distinguishing species from your local species list you can refer to the flow charts for each group.  These may involve the counting of detailed structures such as fin rays and require hand lens or microscopes.