Heraldia nocturna

The upside-down pipefish is a species of pipefish endemic to the coasts of southern Australia, from New [South Wales] to Geographe Bay in Western Australia, where it is found in rocky reefs at depths of from. It grows to a length of SL. This species is the only known member of its genus. Like other pipefish it is ovoviviparous but it may breed seasonally, as gravid males have been collected between September and November.

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. The common name, "upside-down pipefish", comes from its habit of swimming upside down in caves before emerging at night to feed, and this nocturnal habit gives rise to its specific name, nocturna.