Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti)

Scientific name: Hippocampus bargibanti Whitley, 1970

Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti)

The Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) is a marine fish of the family Syngnathidae.

Biology

Only known to occur on gorgonian corals of the genus Muricella, with up to 28 pairs on a single gorgonian. The tubercles and truncated snout of this species match the color and shape of the polyps of the host gorgonian, while its body matches the gorgonian stem. So extreme is this camouflage that the original specimens were only noticed after their host gorgonian had been collected and observed in an aquarium. Post-pelagic young settle on various hosts, but to breed, they appear to prefer the red polyp Muricella spp. That usually grow in depths over 20 m. 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 bargibanti
Family
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)
Order
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
2.4
Depth range
16–40 m (52–131 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 16 - 40 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Central Pacific: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Queensland, and New Caledonia. Conservation status: data deficient. 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: of no interest
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec=34)

Sources

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

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