What makes seahorses so special is their distinctive appearance and behavior. Seahorses range in size from less than an inch to over a foot long. They prefer to swim in pairs with their tails linked together and swim upright. Seahorses have uniquely fused jaws with very narrow snouts acting like a powerful vacuum head. Their narrow snouts allow them to quickly suck up food like 3,000 brine shrimp a day despite no teeth.
Although not fast swimmers, seahorses are extremely stealthy. They have a series of armor-like plates protecting their bodies. Seahorses steer with small pectoral fins and move forward, up, down and backward. The shape of their heads helps them glide through the water almost silently. Few marine predators eat the bony and indigestible seahorse.
On average, seahorses cost $45 to $250 depending on species. In captivity, lifespans range from one to five years. Seahorses have three hearts – two pump blood to the gills, one circulates blood to the body.
The seahorse is a small vertebrate named from Greek “hippokampus” meaning sea monster. Seahorses live in water, breathe through gills and have a swim bladder. Newborns connect tails as a survival technique against predators since parents provide no care.
Seahorses are important predators and prey affecting entire ecosystems. Their removal disrupts ecosystems.
Do seahorses have a gender?
Seahorses have an unusual reproductive system. The male seahorse has a brood pouch where the female lays her eggs. The male then fertilizes the eggs and carries them in this pouch during pregnancy. Pregnancy lasts about 30 days. After giving birth, the male does not eat for several hours.
The male contributes significant energy to reproduction. He fertilizes, carries and protects the eggs. This is unique among species where typically females contribute more energy.
Seahorses mate for life. They perform a mating dance before the female lays her eggs into the male’s pouch. The eggs are then fertilized internally by the male.
Male and female roles are rigid in seahorse reproduction. This allows them to produce many offspring, continuing the species. Their early mortality rate is high, with less than 1% surviving to maturity. Those reaching 4-6 years can reproduce.
Why are seahorses unusual fish?
Seahorses are unusual fish. Their tails are square-shaped which enhances grip. Seahorses have segmented, bony armor that protects from predators. Captive-bred seahorses readily select mates. Seahorses enjoy being handled as they are intelligent.
Seahorses are marine fish of the genus Hippocampus and family Syngnathidae. They live in temperate and tropical waters worldwide. Seahorses are vertebrates, not invertebrates. They live around coral reefs with ample food and hiding spots.
Sea lions and seals are marine mammals that eat ocean prey. Seahorses look and act quite unlike most fish as swimming is not their strength. There are at least 40 seahorse species in temperate and tropical waters globally. Seahorse species vary greatly in appearance and size, from 35 centimetres to just two centimetres length when mature.
Male seahorses carry their young in a pouch on their tails. Biologically, males produce sperm so seahorses follow this despite the pouch. Seahorses stand upright in water unlike most fish. They have a horse-shaped head with long snout and puckered mouth.
Seahorses uniquely hold objects with their monkey-like tails, not for swimming. Special skin cells allow seahorses to camouflage themselves from predators and prey. Seahorses have three hearts – two pump blood to the gills and one circulates blood to the body.
After fertilization, the male carries the eggs in a special pouch where they incubate until ready to hatch. Seahorses are marine bony fish. The male seahorse gets pregnant and gives birth – a unique animal kingdom adaptation.
Seahorses have a horse-resembling head with a long, downward pointed snout to probe nooks for prey. Their eyes move independently to watch for predators and prey simultaneously. Seahorses rapidly slurp up shrimp and other crustaceans. They live in shallow waters globally.
What oceans do seahorses live in?
Seahorses live in shallow temperate and tropical waters, between 13 to 50 feet deep. They are found around seagrass beds, mangrove roots, and coral reefs in oceans worldwide from 45° north to 50° south latitude. Some species tolerate estuaries. Seahorses blend into areas with brown algae. They live in coastal waters up to 200 feet deep. Seahorses are popular aquarium fish but overharvesting threatens wild populations. The short-snouted seahorse is one of two species in the North Atlantic. Seahorses form territories; males stay within 10 square feet while females range further. Seahorses lack scales, having thin skin over bony plates. There are three species in the Mediterranean and four in the Pacific, from North to South America. Seahorses change color to camouflage into their habitat. Most live one to five years in the wild. The big-belly species reaches 35 cm, making it one of the largest. It lives in Australia and New Zealand, up to 100 meters deep. The giant seahorse is slightly smaller at 30 cm, ranging from California to the Galapagos Islands.