Denise's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise)

Scientific name: Hippocampus denise Lourie & Randall, 2003

Denise's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise)

The Denise's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise) is a marine fish of the family Syngnathidae.

Biology

Lives in association with gorgonian seafans (Annella reticulata, Muricella sp., and Echinogorgia sp.). Master of camouflage, with their coloration and body ornamentation in the form of tubercles, can match the stems and polyps of their gorgonian hosts. Ovoviviparous. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Hippocampus denise
Family
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)
Order
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
2.2
Depth range
13–90 m (43–295 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 13 - 90 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Pacific: apparently more widespread than Indonesia, Vanuatu and Palau. Observed from Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Pohn Pei, Micronesia. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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