Knysna seahorse (Hippocampus capensis) fish species and information / pictures of Knysna seahorse - Hippocampus capensis

Knysna seahorse (Hippocampus capensis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Hippocampus capensis

Common Name
Knysna seahorse

Biology
Found in bays and estuaries among submerged vegetation; diurnal (Ref. 4281, 30915). Can tolerate salinities from 1-59 ppt (Ref. 30915). 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 (= from top of coronet to the tip of straightened tail).

Classification

Classified By

Boulenger, 1900

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Pipefishes and Seahorses (Syngnathiformes)

Family

Pipefishes and seahorses (Syngnathidae)

Distribution

Region

Southeast Atlantic

Distribution

Southeast Atlantic: endemic to South Africa. Hippocampus capensis has the smallest known range of any seahorse and was the first to be assessed as threatened on the IUCN Red List, in 1994. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies.

Range

33°S - 34°S

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

20 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; brackish; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 20 m (Ref. 30915)

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

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

12.1 cm

Common Length

7.0 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

Aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (16 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=1; Fec=7)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Endangered (EN) (B1+2c+3d)