West Australian seahorse (Hippocampus subelongatus)

Scientific name: Hippocampus subelongatus Castelnau, 1873

West Australian seahorse (Hippocampus subelongatus)

The West Australian seahorse (Hippocampus subelongatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Syngnathidae.

Biology

Found on edge of rocky areas, muddy bottom and areas of high sediment load; jetty piles and moorings; often associated with sponges or sea squirts or attached to man-made objects; moves to deeper waters in winter. Ovoviviparous. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail. This species manifested evidence of genetically monogamous character in seahorses. Site fidelity is observed during breeding season. Length type refers to height (= TL - head length).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Hippocampus subelongatus
Family
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)
Order
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
20.0
Depth range
1–25 m (3–82 ft)
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 25 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Eastern Indian Ocean: southwest Australia. 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)
Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 200-700)

Sources

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

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