thorny seahorse

Scientific name Hippocampus histrix
Descriptor Kaup
Year of description 1856
IUCN category (World) VU
Family Syngnathidae
Genus Hippocampus
Hippocampus histrix Hippocampus histrix

Introduction

Hippocampus histrix, commonly known as thorny seahorse, is a salt water fish.

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Who is it?

Morphology

  • Type
  • Average size
    7 cm
  • Maximum size
    17 cm
  • Type
  • Average size
    7 cm
  • Maximum size
    17 cm

How to recognize the thorny seahorse ?

The thorny seahorse measures between 7 and 17 cm. This fish is multicolore with a predominantly rouge, jaune, vert, marron and gris body.

Sexual dimorphism

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    living as a couple or alone
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The thorny seahorse is a fish living as a couple or alone naturally found in the vegetation. This species is carnivorous .

n general, this species does not care much about other animals crossing its path.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovovivipare

The thorny seahorse is a fish ovovivipare.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : VU

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    24 - 28 °C
  • Depth
    15 - 40 m
  • Environment
    Active pelagic
  • Flow
    Slow

Biotope presentation

The thorny seahorse is most often found at a depth between 15m and 40m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

Fishkeeping

Not recommended

We do not recommend keeping this species in an aquarium. It has unpredictable needs which, if not met, generate significant stress, potentially leading to a shorter life expectancy, an interruption of its growth or the development of pathogens.

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Silvia Gomez

Silvia Gomez

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

Bibliographic references

Revision of the Australian Seahorses of the Genus Hippocampus (Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae) with Descriptions of Nine New Species - RUDIE H. KUITER - Western Australian Museum - 2001.

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Scientific partners

Species of the same family

Same genus

Species of the same biotope

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