Scientific Name: Hippocampus (genus with over 46 species)

Types:

• Common Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) – Yellow to brown, found in Indo-Pacific
• Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) – Tiny (less than 2 cm), camouflaged among corals
• Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) – Found in the western Atlantic, with distinct dark lines
• Leafy Seahorse (Phycodurus eques) – Looks like seaweed, found in Australia

Habitat:

• Coastal seagrass beds, coral reefs, mangroves, and estuaries
• Found at depths of 1–50 meters (3–164 feet)

Diet:

• Carnivorous – eats small crustaceans, plankton, and tiny shrimp
• Uses its long snout to suck in prey

Reproduction:

• Males give birth! Females deposit eggs into the male’s pouch, where he carries them until they hatch.
• Gestation lasts 10–45 days, depending on species and water temperature.

Spotting Tips:

• Look near seagrass beds and coral reefs.
• They blend in well, so watch for curled tails gripping onto plants.

Countries:

• Found worldwide in tropical and temperate waters, including Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean Sea.