Dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae)

Scientific name: Hippocampus zosterae Jordan & Gilbert, 1882

Dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae)

The Dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) is a marine fish of the family Syngnathidae.

Biology

Shallow grass flats, especially in association with Zostera and other seagrass; periodically found in floating vegetation. Diurnal, males more site faithful than females. Ovoviviparous. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. Specimens lose their skin filaments in aquaria. Has been reared in captivity.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Hippocampus zosterae
Family
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)
Order
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
5.0
Depth range
2 m (7 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; non-migratory; depth range ? - 2 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Bermuda, southern Florida (USA), Bahamas and the entire Gulf of Mexico. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=0.4; tmax=1; assuming Fec=100 (approx. 3 generations/year))

Sources

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

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