Our new study reveals how little we know about some of the ocean’s most quirky fishes

We are pleased to share our latest research paper, “The state of knowledge on four families of Syngnathoidei fishes (Teleostei: Syngnathiformes): Aulostomidae, Centriscidae, Fistulariidae and Solenostomidae”, published in Journal of Fish Biology. The study takes a deep dive into the relatives of seahorses, a group of remarkable but often understudied fishes found in coastal waters around the world.

These species, which include the trumpetfish, cornetfish, snipefish, razorfish, bellowsfish, and ghost pipefish, belong to the same broader group as seahorses, pipefish, and seadragons. Like their better-known cousins, they have a wide range of unique adaptations to life in complex marine habitats, such as vertical swimming postures in the razorfish and female brood pouches in the ghost pipefish. Despite their fascinating nature, we haven’t had a clear picture of how much we actually know about them until now.

“Studying these remarkable fishes isn’t just about curiosity — it highlights a core challenge in conservation: we cannot protect what we do not understand. Conservation starts with understanding, and gaps in our knowledge leave these species vulnerable to being overlooked and potentially lost,” said first author Syd Ascione, a research biologist at UBC’s Project Seahorse.

To address this, we brought together information from over 750 literature sources to assess the current state of knowledge on the ecology, life history, population parameters, and pressures affecting these fishes. Looking across everything from morphology to feeding behaviour to population trends, we set out to understand what we know, where the gaps are, and what this means for conservation.

Uncovering and synthesizing existing data on these fishes has already advanced our understanding of their ecology and life history, particularly their ranges, habitats, and depth distributions. This growing knowledge is also beginning to inform how these species are assessed and protected.

“This research is already helping us to refine and update these species’ IUCN Red List assessments, which evaluate their risk of extinction,” said co-author Elsa Camins, a research biologist at Project Seahorse and with the IUCN SSC Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group. “Having accurate and up-to-date conservation assessments is key to making sure the right protections are in place when and where they’re needed.”

However, despite these advances, important gaps remain in the information needed to fully understand and protect these species, particularly in areas such as reproduction, survival, and population dynamics — limiting effective conservation action. At a time when marine species are facing increasing pressures from habitat loss, overfishing, and climate change, limited data can delay action and leave vulnerable species at risk.

As such, this review provides an important call to action, establishing key research priorities to fill gaps in our understanding and better inform conservation assessments and management. By building on this foundation, researchers, conservationists, and communities can work together to deepen our understanding and help ensure a future for these remarkable fishes.