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Sea Horse

Sea Horse
  • 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.
Common Seahorse
  • Size: 15–30 cm (6–12 inches)
  • Color: Yellow to brown, sometimes with dark spots
  • Habitat: Seagrass beds, mangroves, and coral reefs
  • Distribution: Indo-Pacific, including Indonesia, Australia, and Thailand
  • Special Features: A widespread species often found in shallow waters
Pigmy Seahorse
  • Size: Tiny! Around 1.5–2 cm (0.6–0.8 inches)
  • Color: Pink or yellow, perfectly camouflaged with gorgonian corals
  • Habitat: Deep-sea coral reefs
  • Distribution: Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea
  • Special Features: One of the smallest and most difficult to spot due to its camouflage
Lined Seahorse
  • Size: 12–19 cm (5–7.5 inches)
  • Color: Brown, yellow, or reddish with distinct dark stripes
  • Habitat: Seagrass meadows, estuaries, and coral reefs
  • Distribution: Western Atlantic (USA, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean)
  • Special Features: Can change color depending on mood and surroundings
Leafy Seahorse

 

  • Size: 20–35 cm (8–14 inches)
  • Color: Greenish-yellow with leaf-like appendages
  • Habitat: Coastal seaweed and kelp forests
  • Distribution: Southern Australia
  • Special Features: Master of disguise, looking exactly like seaweed
Tigertail Sea Horse
  • Size: 15–18 cm (6–7 inches)
  • Color: Yellow with black tiger-like stripes on the tail
  • Habitat: Coral reefs and mangrove areas
  • Distribution: Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia
  • Special Features: Recognizable by its curled tail with bold striping