Denise's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise) fish species and information / pictures of Denise's pygmy seahorse - Hippocampus denise

Denise's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise) fish species information

Scientific Name
Hippocampus denise

Common Name
Denise's pygmy seahorse

Biology
Lives in association with gorgonian seafans (Annella reticulata, Muricella sp., and Echinogorgia sp.). Master of camouflage, with their coloration and body ornamentation in the form of tubercles, can match the stems and polyps of their gorgonian hosts (Ref. 47053). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).

Classification

Classified By

Lourie & Randall, 2003

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Pipefishes and Seahorses (Syngnathiformes)

Family

Pipefishes and seahorses (Syngnathidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Pacific

Distribution

Western Pacific: apparently more widespread than Indonesia, Vanuatu and Palau. Observed from Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Pohn Pei, Micronesia. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

13 m

Depth To - meters

90 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 13 - 90 m (Ref. 47053)

Trophic Level

3.09 s.e. 0.46 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

2.2 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 (10 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)