Hedgehog seahorse (Hippocampus spinosissimus) fish species and information / pictures of Hedgehog seahorse - Hippocampus spinosissimus

Hedgehog seahorse (Hippocampus spinosissimus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Hippocampus spinosissimus

Common Name
Hedgehog seahorse

Biology
Found in the continental shelf, on muddy or sandy bottoms and in coral reefs. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Length type refers to height (= TL - head length). Less desirable for traditional Chinese medicine, but use may increase with the rise in patent medicines.

Classification

Classified By

Weber, 1913

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Pipefishes and Seahorses (Syngnathiformes)

Family

Pipefishes and seahorses (Syngnathidae)

Distribution

Region

Indo-Pacific

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: Sri Lanka to Taiwan and Australia. This species has often been misidentified as Hippocampus histrix (Ref. 30915). International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies.

Range

27°N - 36°S, 76°E - 155°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

70 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range ? - 70 m

Trophic Level

3.44 s.e. 0.52 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

17.2 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

Unknown

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (16 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=0.5-1)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (A4cd)