Species · GBIF taxon 5201130
Pygmy Seahorse
Hippocampus bargibantiAlso known as Bargibant's Seahorse, Gorgonian Pygmy Seahorse
These tiny marine masters of camouflage spend their entire adult lives anchored to a single gorgonian coral host. Measuring less than two centimeters in length, their bodies are covered in bulbous tubercles that perfectly mimic the polyps of their host coral. They are so well hidden that they were only discovered when a researcher was studying a coral sample in a laboratory.
CamouflagedMarineCoral-Dwelling
- diet
- Planktonic copepods and small crustaceans
- family
- Syngnathidae
- threats
- Habitat destruction, coral bleaching, and disturbance by recreational divers
- life Span
- 1 to 2 years
NE
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Highly vulnerable to habitat degradation from coral bleaching and physical damage caused by careless divers.
Never touch the host coral or the seahorse, and limit the number of camera flashes to avoid blinding them.- Maintain distance: Avoid touching or crowding the host gorgonian coral to prevent stressing the seahorse.
- Limit flash photography: Bright strobe lights can damage their highly sensitive eyes and cause them to turn away.
- Watch the polyps: Look for closed coral polyps, which often indicate a seahorse is clinging nearby.