Lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus)

Scientific name: Hippocampus erectus Perry, 1810

The Lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) is a marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–27°C (50–81°F).

Lined seahorse care at a glance

Temperature: 10–27°C (50–81°F)

Biology

Generally in coastal waters; often around man-made structures. Usually attached to gorgonians or seagrasses but may occur in floating Sargassum or swimming freely in midwater. Those that live in Sargassum usually have bony protuberances and fleshy tabs that may serve as camouflage. Has been reared in captivity. Move into deeper waters during winter. Feeds by sucking in small organisms, using its long face as a pipette. Ovoviviparous. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. Length type refers to Height (= from top of coronet to the tip of straightened tail).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Hippocampus erectus
Family: Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)
Order: Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 19.0
Depth range: 1–73 m (3–240 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 73 m
Climate: Subtropical
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.
Conservation status (IUCN): Vulnerable (VU) (A4cd)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.34; tmax=1; Fec=1,552)