Tiger tail seahorse (Hippocampus comes)

Scientific name: Hippocampus comes Cantor, 1849

Tiger tail seahorse (Hippocampus comes)

The Tiger tail seahorse (Hippocampus comes) is a marine fish of the family Syngnathidae.

Biology

Length type refers to Height (= from top of coronet to the tip of straightened tail). This species is mainly found in pairs on coral reefs, sponge gardens, kelp, and floating Sargassum. Nocturnal, site faithful. Feeds on zooplankton. Ovoviviparous. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. Life span probably more than 2-3 years. Used for traditional Chinese medicine.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Hippocampus comes
Family
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)
Order
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
18.7
Depth range
20 m (66 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range ? - 20 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Central Pacific: Malaysia, Singapore, Viet Nam and Philippines. Confused with Hippocampus kuda. 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) (A2cd)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=0.5-1)

More seahorses & pipefish

See all seahorses & pipefish

Sources

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

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