Reproduction
The males and the females seem to be eager to mate when they come into contact with each other. Before they do so though they are going to have to do various rituals for the courtship to continue. Before the female can pass the eggs to the male they have to be moving at the same speed in the same movements at the same time.
The males have a spongy area around the tail that they carry the eggs in. There are some sub species though of the Pipefish that feature a pouch that they will carry those eggs in. The gestation period will vary based on the sub species as well the number of young that are born.
With this species there are also those females that will choose to mate with several males. She will be able to deposit eggs to all of them and this is going to significantly increase the overall number of young that are produced. This can help to increase the population but such activity will only occur when there is low stress and plenty of food available among the current population.
For all Pipefish the young have to be able to care for themselves immediately upon birth. They also may end up being a source of food for both the mother and the father of the young. They are also victims of various predators so less than 1% of them will actually live long enough to become mature and have their own young.
(source:google/http://www.seahorseworlds.com/)
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