Species · GBIF taxon 5201064
Long-snouted Seahorse
Hippocampus guttulatusAlso known as Spiny Seahorse, Mane Seahorse
Long-snouted seahorses are enchanting marine fish distinguished by their slender, elongated snouts and a crown of fleshy, branching filaments that resemble a miniature mane. They anchor themselves to seagrasses and seaweed using a highly flexible prehensile tail, blending seamlessly into their underwater meadows. Like their relatives, males undergo pregnancy, nurturing fertilized eggs inside a specialized brood pouch until they hatch as fully formed miniature seahorses.
MarineCamouflagedAtlantic
Licensed reference(c)
Mare Per Sempre, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Small crustaceans, zooplankton, and larval fish
- family
- Syngnathidae
- threats
- Habitat destruction, coastal development, and accidental bycatch in fishing nets
- life Span
- 3 to 5 years
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Protected under CITES Appendix II due to threats from habitat degradation and the curio trade.
Never touch or remove them from the water; observe quietly from a respectful distance without disturbing the surrounding seagrass.- Maintain distance: Avoid touching or crowding these delicate fish, as stress can harm their immune systems.
- Look closely at seagrass: Search patiently near the base of eelgrass blades where they use their tails to anchor.
- Minimize flash photography: Use natural light when photographing to avoid startling or disorienting them.