This study attempts to assess the relationship between fecundity and fertility of males and females of the gulf pipefish, Syngnathus scovelli. Specimens of this pipefish were collected in detached algae in the inner surf-zone of a dissipative sandy beach in southeastern Brazil. 97 specimens were collected, and they were associates to detached algae. From these, 14 were males, 36 females and 47 immature. Male-female sex ratio was 0.4:1, which was significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio. Fish ranged from 43 to 98 mm TL (Fig. 1), and males and females showed similar size. Only 7 males were pregnants, while 9 females had hydrated oocytes. Minimum number of eggs/embryos in the pouch was 30 and the maximum 92. Minimum number of hydrated oocytes was 36, and the maximum was 165. The number of egg/embryos, and hydrated oocytes were weakly related to total length. It seems that the gulf pipefish occupy the inner surf-zone of the Praia do Iate are brought to the shallows accidentally when the specimens were inhabiting drifting vegetation.
parental care; brood pouch; sex role reversal; surf zone; detached algae
