Zebra seahorse (Hippocampus zebra)

Scientific name: Hippocampus zebra Whitley, 1964

The Zebra seahorse (Hippocampus zebra) is a marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. Native range: Western Central Pacific, northeastern Australia. International trade is monitored through a licensing system.

Biology

Found inshore on reef areas. 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 zebra
Family: Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)
Order: Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 8.0
Depth range: 20–69 m (66–226 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 20 - 69 m, usually ? - 20 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Central Pacific: northeastern Australia. International trade is monitored through a licensing system.
Conservation status (IUCN): Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026