A few weeks ago I was out checking a local site for snorkelling in Swanage the day before the most recent storm was due to hit and found this pipefish in the shallow water being washed in by the tide. The storm had picked up and I stayed to watch it for about 5 minutes and could see that it was struggling.
So I decided to take it to a more sheltered area along our Swanage Coast. It would take an hour for me to snorkel to get to it, but determined I was, swimming against the waves to take it safety.
Pipefish are related to seahorses and this is a Neilsons Pipefish, also known as a lesser pipefish. It reaches to about 17 cm in length with a straight short snout and can have either a plain green or a light brown body. Like other pipefish, the male carries the eggs and larvae in a brood pouch. They are vulnerable to habitat loss, pollution, climate change and overfishing. I just knew that I had to give it a chance.
You can see the full video on either my Dorset Underwater Facebook or Tik Tok page, it really was incredible how this little creature just trusted me to help it underwater, nestling into my hand and not wanting to leave me when we finally reached a safe place.
Swim safe little one, it was such a pleasure being able to help you
