Saltwater
Thorny seahorse
Hippocampus histrix
Syngnathidae, Syngnathinae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 17 cm
- Body shape
- Other
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 118 liters
- Diet
- Missing
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Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
Native
Lives wild in Australia, China, France, French Polynesia, Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, and 20 more countries.
More about the species
Description
A rare inhabitant of shallow sheltered reefs, found among clumps of algae or in seagrass beds. Large adult pelagic and probably associated with drifting debris. Associated with sponges and sea-squirts. Ovoviviparous. Feeds on zooplanktons and small crustaceans. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. Use in traditional Chinese medicine is increasing with the rise in patent medicines. Not common in the aquarium trade. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128812.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Hippocamphus hystrix
- Hippocampus curvicuspis
- Hippocampus guttulatus
- Hippocampus hystrix
- Hippocampus ramulosus
In other languages
- Tornet søhest
- Longspine seahorse, Seahorse, Spiny seahorse
Articles
All articles
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.
From freshwater to saltwater3 min read
What is different in a saltwater aquarium: salt, refractometer, live rock and corals. An introduction for anyone thinking of giving it a try.