Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and seahorses) >
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) > Hippocampinae
Etymology: Hippocampus: Greek, ippos = horse + Greek,kampe = curvature (Ref. 45335). More on author: Ginsburg.
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 55 m (Ref. 30915). Subtropical, preferred ?; 29°N - 25°S, 133°W - 40°W (Ref. 57010)
Western Atlantic: North Carolina in USA, Bermuda (Ref. 9710) and Bahamas to Santa Catarina, Brazil (Ref. 57756). International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 8.0  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 17.5 cm OT male/unsexed; (Ref. 30915)
Uncommon in most areas, but may be locally common in certain places. Usually attached to gorgonians or seagrasses but may occur in floating Sargassum or swimming freely in midwater (Ref. 9710). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35409). Length type refers to Height (= from top of coronet to the tip of straightened tail).
Breeding season more than 8 months in laboratory; egg diameter 1.2 mm; gestation period 2 weeks, depending on water temperature; young approximately 7 mm at birth; pair-bonded in wild (Ref. 30915). Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and genetic (Ref. 52881).
Lourie, S.A., A.C.J. Vincent and H.J. Hall, 1999. Seahorses: an identification guide to the world's species and their conservation. Project Seahorse, London. 214 p. (Ref. 30915)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
More information
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingMass conversion
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Estimates of some properties based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82805): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00427 (0.00168 - 0.01086), b=3.00 (2.78 - 3.22), in cm Total Length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic Level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.5 se; Based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
69278): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming annual Fec<1000).
Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (12 of 100) .