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Photo of Short snouted seahorse
Saltwater

Short snouted seahorse

Hippocampus hippocampus

Syngnathidae, Syngnathinae

Facts

Characteristics
Length
Up to 15 cm
Body shape
Other
Care
Group
Missing
Smallest aquarium
88 liters
Diet
Missing

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Behavior
Temperament
Peaceful
Swims
Missing

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Water values
Temperature
–
pH
–
Smallest tank
31 cm92 cm31 cm
88 liters92 × 31 × 31 cmBased on one fish
Range
Native

Lives wild in Albania, Algeria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Gambia, and 26 more countries.

More about the species

Description

Inhabits dense, complex habitats as well as patchy, relatively open and sparse habitats of coastal areas. Found on soft bottoms amongst rocks and algae, on sparsely vegetated areas, and in coastal lagoons with strong oceanic influences. Mimics the green or yellow coloration of plants allowing it to hide among the vegetation. This ability likely plays a role in seahorse feeding strategy and in predator avoidance. Makes limited daily movements within very restricted home ranges (0.7-18.1 m2). May over-winter in deeper water.. Adult dispersal over large distances is probably caused by strong wave action during storms or when it anchors itself to floating debris. Is thought to live for 3-5 years. Because of its short generation time and multiple breeding cycles during each spawning season, resilience is thought to be high. However, in tropical areas where seagrass beds are regularly exploited for other species of seahorses for the aquarium trade, traditional medicine, etc., populations have been quickly eradicated. Feeds on small prey and organic debris. Has been reared in captivity. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128812.

Other names

Other scientific names

  • Gasterosteus equus
  • Hippocampus antiquorum
  • Hippocampus antiquus
  • Hippocampus brevirostris
  • Hippocampus europaeus
  • Hippocampus heptagonus

In other languages

  • Kortnosad Sjöhäst
  • Kortsnudet søhest
  • Lyhytkuonomerihevonen
  • Sea horse, Sea-horse, Short-snouted seahorse

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