clipped from: www.guardian.co.uk   

Baffled scientists warn of a 'catastrophic' impact as snake pipefish flood into British waters

A puffin

Britain's sea birds are facing a deadly new threat from a population explosion of strange, seahorse-like creatures in our coastal waters. The snake pipefish, virtually unknown around the UK in 2002, has undergone a massive, baffling and dangerous expansion since then, scientists have discovered.

Divers report seeing hundreds on single dives, while dozens of pipefish - which can grow to more than 18 inches in length - have been found in the nests of puffins, kittiwakes, terns and other sea birds.

chicks are choking to death on the rigid, bony bodies of pipefish, while adults are feeding on them despite the fact they have very little nutritional value
The explosive growth of the snake pipefish (Entelurus aequoreus) in the past five years has been one of the most mysterious events affecting Britain's coastal waters in recent years