Lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) fish species and information / pictures of Lined seahorse - Hippocampus erectus

Lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Hippocampus erectus

Common Name
Lined seahorse

Biology
Generally in coastal waters; often around man-made structures (Ref. 26938). Usually attached to gorgonians or seagrasses but may occur in floating Sargassum or swimming freely in midwater (Ref. 9710). Those that live in Sargassum usually have bony protuberances and fleshy tabs that may serve as camouflage. Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35420, 35422). Move into deeper waters during winter (Ref. 36630). Feeds by sucking in small organisms, using its long face as a pipette (Ref. 26938). 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

Perry, 1810

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Pipefishes and Seahorses (Syngnathiformes)

Family

Pipefishes and seahorses (Syngnathidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada and northern Gulf of Mexico to Panama and Venezuela. A southern form that may prove to be a separate species is known from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and questionably from Suriname. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies.

Range

50°N - 5°N, 97°W - 40°W

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

10 °C

Water Temperature To

27 °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

73 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 73 m (Ref. 30915)

Trophic Level

3.46 s.e. 0.51 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

19.0 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; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (31 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.34; tmax=1; Fec=1,552)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (A4cd)