Common name: horned seahorse

General information

The Crowned Seahorse, scientifically known as Hippocampus coronatus, is a captivating marine fish species renowned for its distinctive crown-like spines on its head. This species is part of the Syngnathidae family, which includes seahorses and pipefish. The Crowned Seahorse is relatively small, reaching up to 8 centimeters in length, and exhibits a range of colors from yellow to brown, often with intricate white markings.

Care

Crowned Seahorses require a specialized aquarium setup that mimics their natural environment. They thrive in calm waters with plenty of hitching posts such as seagrass or soft corals. Seahorses are not strong swimmers, so gentle water flow is essential. They feed on live foods like mysis shrimp and brine shrimp, and it's crucial to maintain excellent water quality due to their sensitivity to changes in water parameters.

Reproduction

Seahorses have a unique reproductive behavior where the males carry the fertilized eggs in a brood pouch until they hatch. The Crowned Seahorse's courtship display is elaborate, involving dances and color changes. After gestation, the male gives birth to fully formed juveniles, which are independent from birth and require small live foods like copepods.

Habitat

The Crowned Seahorse is native to the Western Pacific, particularly around Japan and Korea. They are typically found in shallow coastal waters, among seagrasses, and coral reefs where they can camouflage and anchor themselves to avoid predators.