Sea pony (Hippocampus fuscus) fish species and information / pictures of Sea pony - Hippocampus fuscus

Sea pony (Hippocampus fuscus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Hippocampus fuscus

Common Name
Sea pony

Biology
Length type refers to height (= TL - head length). Occurs in eelgrass beds (Zostera sp.) in lagoons. Used in India for traditional medicines. Diurnal. Adults pair-bond and greet on daily basis in the laboratory (Ref. 30915). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).

Classification

Classified By

R?ppell, 1838

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Pipefishes and Seahorses (Syngnathiformes)

Family

Pipefishes and seahorses (Syngnathidae)

Distribution

Region

Indian Ocean

Distribution

Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, and Sri Lanka. Records from South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius and R?union are questionable. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

10 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; amphidromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 10 m (Ref. 52034)

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

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

14.4 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 (12 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)