Short snouted seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus) fish species and information / pictures of Short snouted seahorse - Hippocampus hippocampus

Short snouted seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Hippocampus hippocampus

Common Name
Short snouted seahorse

Biology
Occurs mostly in shallow inshore waters among algae (Ref. 6733). May over-winter in deeper water. Feeds on small prey and organic debris. It mimics the green or yellow coloration of plants allowing it to hide among the vegetation. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). As with all seahorses, the incubation of the eggs takes place in a marsupial pouch found in front of the tail of the males (Ref. 5377). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35416).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Pipefishes and Seahorses (Syngnathiformes)

Family

Pipefishes and seahorses (Syngnathidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: Wadden Sea southward to the Gulf of Guinea, Canary Islands and along the African coast to Guinea. Also in the Mediterranean. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies.

Range

52°N - 2°N, 32°W - 42°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

60 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; non-migratory; depth range ? - 60 m (Ref. 52034)

Trophic Level

3.15 s.e. 0.39 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

15.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (15 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=0.3-0.4)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)