HomeMarine aquarium fishSeahorses & pipefishBarbour's seahorse Barbour's seahorse (Hippocampus barbouri) Scientific name: Hippocampus barbouri Jordan & Richardson, 1908 The Barbour's seahorse (Hippocampus barbouri) is a marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. BiologyUnlike most seahorses, this species is often found clinging to hard coral and doesn't seem to be worried about stingers. Ovoviviparous. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. Popular spiny seahorse in aquarium trade; often sold bleached for traditional Chinese medicine. OT=height length.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameHippocampus barbouriFamilySyngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)OrderSyngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length15.0Depth range6–10 m (20–33 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 6 - 10 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Central Pacific: southern Sulu Sea. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies.Conservation status (IUCN)Vulnerable (VU) (A4cd)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=0.3-0.4) More seahorses & pipefishTiger tail seahorseHippocampus comesThorny seahorseHippocampus histrixMessmate pipefishCorythoichthys haematopterusScribbled pipefishCorythoichthys intestinalisSchultz's pipefishCorythoichthys schultziAlligator pipefishSyngnathoides biaculeatusSee all seahorses & pipefish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026