Big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) fish species and information / pictures of Big-belly seahorse - Hippocampus abdominalis

Big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Hippocampus abdominalis

Common Name
Big-belly seahorse

Biology
Found in large rock pools at low tide. They remain motionless amidst seaweed. Juveniles are pelagic (Ref. 30915) or attached to drifting seaweeds (Ref. 31838). Feed on minute crustaceans (e.g. copepods and amphipods). Nocturnal (Ref. 9003). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Seen in groups at night. Also around jetties and other man-made objects; attached to sponges and colonial hydroids in deeper water (Ref. 30915). Length measurements refer to height (= TL - head length).This is the largest seahorse species in southeastern Australia, and has more dorsal fin rays and tail rings than any other seahorse (Ref. 31838). Sold locally and internationally for the aquarium trade (Ref. 31838). Dried and sold to the Oriental medicine trade as a tonic and aphrodisiac (Ref. 5316, 34026).

Classification

Classified By
Lesson, 1827
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Pipefishes and Seahorses (Syngnathiformes)
Family
Pipefishes and seahorses (Syngnathidae)

Distribution

Region
Southwest Pacific
Distribution
Southwest Pacific: Australia and New Zealand. Vulnerable (Ref. 30915). Occurrence in Thailand and the Philippines (Ref. 43081) needs verification. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies.
Range
24°S - 50°S, 80°E - 120°W

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
104 m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 104 m (Ref. 52034)
Trophic Level
3.41 s.e. 0.51 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
35.0 cm
Common Length
18.0 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: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (19 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=1; Assuming annual Fec
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Data deficient (DD)