Festucalex rufus

{{Short description|Species of fish}}

{{Speciesbox

| name = Pink pipefish

| status = DD

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref =

| image =

| image_caption =

| taxon = Festucalex rufus

| authority = Allen & Erdmann, 2015

}}

The pink pipefish (Festucalex rufus) is a species of coastal pipefish of the family Syngnathidae. It has been found in the East Cape area of Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, as well as the Solomon Islands, Bali, and Seram Island.{{cite journal | author = Pollom, R. | year = 2017 | title = Festucalex rufus | journal = The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species | volume = 2017 | page = e.T101730467A103209879 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T101730467A103209879.en | doi-access = free }} It lives in sponges on coral reef slopes at depths of {{convert|10-25|m|ft}}, where it can grow to lengths generally less than {{convert|4|cm|in}}.{{cite journal | author1 = Allen, G. R. | author2 = Erdmann, M. V. | name-list-style = amp | year = 2015 | title = Festucalex rufus, a new species of pipefish (Syngnathidae) from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea | journal = Aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology | volume = 21 | issue =1 | pages = 47–51}} They are found solitary or in pairs, always on an unidentified red tubular sponge which provides them with camouflage. They are expected to feed on small crustaceans, similar to other pipefish. This species is ovoviviparous, with males brooding eggs and giving birth to live young.