Common name: Barbour's seahorse

General information

Barbour's Seahorse, scientifically known as Hippocampus barbouri, is a captivating marine fish known for its unique horse-like head and prehensile tail. This species is part of the Syngnathidae family, which includes seahorses and pipefish. They are relatively small, reaching up to 5 inches in length, and exhibit a variety of colors, often with zebra-like stripes or spots.

Care

Barbour's Seahorse requires a specialized aquarium setup that mimics their natural environment. They need a peaceful tank with plenty of hitching posts like seagrass or soft corals. Slow, gentle water movement is essential to prevent exhaustion, as seahorses are not strong swimmers. They thrive on a diet of live or frozen mysis shrimp and should be fed multiple times a day due to their inefficient digestive systems.

Reproduction

Like all seahorses, Barbour's Seahorse exhibits fascinating reproductive behavior. The males carry the fertilized eggs in a brood pouch until they hatch. This species can be bred in captivity, but it requires a dedicated and controlled environment to ensure the survival of the offspring.

Habitat

Barbour's Seahorse is found in the Western Pacific, from the Philippines to northern Australia. They inhabit shallow coastal waters, often associating with coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves where they can camouflage and hunt for small crustaceans.