Seahorses

Seahorses are one of the most fascinating and unique creatures you can add to a saltwater aquarium. Belonging to the genus Hippocampus, seahorses are known for their horse-like head, prehensile tail, and upright swimming posture. Unlike most fish, seahorses are poor swimmers and rely on their dorsal fin to propel them and their pectoral fins for steering. Their prehensile tail allows them to anchor themselves to seagrasses, corals, and other substrates in the aquarium, which is essential given their weak swimming abilities.

Seahorses have a unique reproductive system where the males become pregnant. The female deposits her eggs into a specialized brood pouch on the male's abdomen, where he fertilizes and carries them until they hatch. This fascinating aspect of their biology makes them a captivating subject for observation and study.

Seahorses require specific care to thrive in captivity. They prefer a tank with low to moderate water flow and plenty of places to hitch their tails, such as live rock, artificial corals, or specially designed hitching posts. They are also sensitive to water quality, so maintaining pristine water conditions is crucial. Seahorses are carnivorous and primarily feed on small crustaceans like copepods and mysis shrimp. In captivity, they can be trained to eat frozen food, but this requires patience and consistency.

It's important to note that seahorses are susceptible to stress and disease, so they should be kept in a species-specific tank or with other peaceful, slow-moving fish. Avoid keeping them with aggressive or fast-moving species that may outcompete them for food.

Overall, seahorses can be a rewarding addition to a saltwater aquarium for experienced hobbyists who are prepared to meet their specific needs. Their unique appearance and behaviors make them a standout feature in any marine setup.

1. 
   Common name: Pot-bellied seahorse

   Scientific name: Hippocampus abdominalis
2. Common name: west african seahorse

   Scientific name: Hippocampus algiricus
3. Common name: Western spiny seahorse

   Scientific name: Hippocampus angustus
4. 
   Common name: Barbour's seahorse

   Scientific name: Hippocampus barbouri
5. 
   Common name: Pygmy seahorse

   Scientific name: Hippocampus bargibanti
6. 
   Common name: spotted seahorse

   Scientific name: Hippocampus borboniensis
7. 
   Common name: Short-head seahorse

   Scientific name: Hippocampus breviceps
8. Common name: giraffe seahorse

   Scientific name: Hippocampus camelopardalis
9. 
   Common name: Cape seahorse

   Scientific name: Hippocampus capensis
10. 
    Common name: Tiger Tail Seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus comes
11. 
    Common name: horned seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus coronatus
12. 
    Common name: Denise's pygmy seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus denise
13. 
    Common name: lined seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus erectus
14. 
    Common name: spotted seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus fisheri
15. 
    Common name: Sea Pony

    Scientific name: Hippocampus fuscus
16. 
    Common name: Long-snouted Seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus guttulatus
17. 
    Common name: Short-snouted Seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus hippocampus
18. 
    Common name: Thorny seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus histrix
19. 
    Common name: Pacific seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus ingens
20. 
    Common name: Jayakar's seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus jayakari
21. 
    Common name: Great seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus kelloggi
22. 
    Common name: Yellow Seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus kuda
23. Common name: Lichtenstein's Seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus lichtensteinii
24. Common name: Bullneck seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus minotaur
25. 
    Common name: Japanese seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus mohnikei
26. 
    Common name: Slender seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus reidi
27. 
    Common name: crowned seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus sindonis
28. 
    Common name: Hedgehog seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus spinosissimus
29. 
    Common name: West Australian seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus subelongatus
30. 
    Common name: Three-spot Seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus trimaculatus
31. 
    Common name: White's seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus whitei
32. 
    Common name: Zebra seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus zebra
33. 
    Common name: little seahorse

    Scientific name: Hippocampus zosterae
34. 
    Common name: Weedy seadragon

    Scientific name: Phyllopteryx taeniolatus