Seahorse Information & Care
| Back to Saltwater Aquarium Fish Species | |
|---|---|
| Fish Type | Species needing expert care and best avoided |
| Fish Family | Syngnathidae |
| Common Name | Seahorse |
| Scientific Name | Hippocampus |
| Description |
A hippocampus (or seahorse) is a genus of fish (family Syngnathidae) found in temperate and tropical waters all over the world. Seahorses range in size from 16 mm to 35 cm. They are notable for being one of only a few species where the males get pregnant. A seahorse pregnancy lasts approximately two to three weeks. Seahorses are also unusual among fishes for being monogamous. Seahorse populations have been endangered in recent years by overfishing. The seahorse is used in traditional Chinese herbology. As many as 20 million seahorses a year may be caught and sold for this purpose. Though close relatives of seahorses, sea dragons have larger bodies and leaf-like appendages which enable them to hide among floating seaweed or kelp beds. Sea dragons feed on larval fishes and amphipods, such as and small shrimp-like crustaceans called mysids ("sea lice"), sucking up their prey in their small mouths. Many of these amphipods feed on the red algae that thrives in the shade of the kelp forests where the sea dragons live. There are approximately 35 known species of seahorse. Import and export of seahorses will be controlled under CITES from May 15, 2004.
From wikipedia.org |
