Common name: Sea horse

General information

The Yellow Seahorse, also known as the Common Seahorse or Spotted Seahorse, is scientifically named Hippocampus kuda. These captivating creatures are well-known for their equine-like appearance and prehensile tails. They are found in a variety of colors, ranging from yellow to brown, and often have spots or other markings that help them blend into their surroundings.

Seahorses are unique among fish for having a bony exoskeleton instead of scales, and for their method of reproduction: it is the males that become pregnant and give birth to live young, known as fry.

Care

Keeping seahorses in a home aquarium requires a dedicated and patient approach. They thrive in a calm environment with minimal current and plenty of hitching posts, such as seagrass or artificial decorations. Seahorses are not strong swimmers, so strong currents can stress them out. They are also susceptible to skin infections and require pristine water conditions.

Seahorses primarily feed on live foods, such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. It's important to ensure a continuous supply of nutritious live food to keep them healthy.

Reproduction

Seahorse reproduction is fascinating. The male has a specialized pouch where the female deposits her eggs. After fertilization, the male incubates the eggs until they hatch, at which point he gives birth to fully formed, miniature seahorses. This process can take 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the species and water conditions.

Symbiosis

While seahorses do not have a symbiotic relationship in the same way clownfish do with anemones, they do often associate with certain stationary or slow-moving invertebrates like sea fans, corals, and sponges, which provide them with camouflage and a place to anchor themselves.

Habitat

Hippocampus kuda is found in shallow tropical and temperate waters throughout the Indo-Pacific region. They prefer sheltered areas such as seagrass beds, mangroves, and coral reefs where they can easily camouflage and find food.