Common name: Western spiny seahorse

General information

The Narrow-Bellied Seahorse, Hippocampus angustus, is a captivating species known for its slender body and unique horse-like appearance. This species is part of the Syngnathidae family, which includes pipefish and seadragons. Seahorses are notable for their upright swimming posture, prehensile tails, and the male's ability to carry and birth young. They are often found clinging to seagrasses or corals with their tails.

Care

Narrow-Bellied Seahorses require a specialized aquarium setup that mimics their natural environment. They thrive in a peaceful tank with plenty of hitching posts like seagrasses or artificial decorations. Slow-moving or stationary water flow is essential to prevent exhaustion, as seahorses are not strong swimmers. A diet of live or frozen mysis shrimp is ideal, and they should be fed multiple times a day due to their inefficient digestive systems.

Reproduction

One of the most fascinating aspects of seahorse biology is their unique reproductive strategy. Males possess a brood pouch where females deposit eggs during mating. The male then fertilizes the eggs internally and carries them until they hatch, releasing fully formed miniature seahorses into the water. This process can be observed in the home aquarium, but raising the fry can be challenging due to their need for microscopic live foods.

Habitat

The Narrow-Bellied Seahorse is native to the coastal waters of Australia, often found in seagrass beds, mangroves, and coral reefs. They typically inhabit shallow waters but can be found at depths up to 50 meters. In the aquarium, they require a tank with a gentle flow and structures to cling to, replicating their natural habitat as closely as possible.