Spotted seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) fish species and information / pictures of Spotted seahorse - Hippocampus kuda

Spotted seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) fish species information

Scientific Name
Hippocampus kuda

Common Name
Spotted seahorse

Biology
Inhabit seagrass and marine algae areas of estuaries and seaward reefs; also on steep mud slopes. Found in open water and attached to drifting Sargassum up to 20 km from shore. Adults in pairs (Ref. 48635). Benthic to pelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on zooplankton (Ref. 85309). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The males carry the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Not shown to be monogamous in the laboratory (Ref. 30915). Very popular aquarium fish. Highly valued species in traditional Chinese medicine (Ref. 30915). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35416).

Classification

Classified By

Bleeker, 1852

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Pipefishes and Seahorses (Syngnathiformes)

Family

Pipefishes and seahorses (Syngnathidae)

Distribution

Region

Indo-Pacific

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: Pakistan and India to southern Japan, Hawaii, and the Society Islands (Ref. 30915). This name is used for maybe 10 distinct species in the Indo-Pacific (Ref. 12238, 30915). International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies.

Range

39°N - 28°S, 32°E - 154°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

68 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 68 m (Ref. 37816)

Trophic Level

3.66 s.e. 0.55 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

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

30.0 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: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (15 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=0.6; Fec=20-1000)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (A4cd)