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Seahorse
AdvancedMysterious upright posture and unique body. Males brood young in pouch — rare reproductive strategy. Requires dedicated tank.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
20〜25℃
Lifespan
3-5 years
Size
10-20cm (varies by species)
Diet
Frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp
About
Seahorses (genus Hippocampus) are small, highly distinctive fishes of the family Syngnathidae inhabiting shallow coastal waters, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs worldwide. Among the most morphologically unusual of all vertebrates, they are characterized by a horse-like head, a body encased in bony rings, a prehensile tail used to anchor to substrate, and a vertical swimming posture. Approximately 46 species are recognized. Uniquely, it is the male that carries and gives birth to offspring using a specialized brood pouch. Care requirements are intermediate to advanced: their slow feeding pace makes them vulnerable to food competition from faster fish, so a species-only or calm, bottom-dwelling community is recommended. Live brine shrimp and mysis are dietary staples, though weaning onto frozen food is achievable with patience.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Seahorse
The Seahorse lives 3-5 years.
Size of the Seahorse
The Seahorse grows to 10-20cm (varies by species).
Temperature & humidity for the Seahorse
The ideal water temperature for the Seahorse is 22〜25℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Shallow coastal waters, seagrass beds, and coral reefs worldwide (tropical to temperate)
Lifespan
3-5 years
Care Specifications
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Water Temp.
- 22–25℃
- Specific Gravity
- 1.02–1.025
- Salinity
- 33–35 ppt
- Min. Tank
- 114 L
PeacefulWith cautionPair
Sources: LiveAquaria
Captive Breeding
Egg-laying
- Clutch size
- 250〜650
- Incubation temp.
- 22〜25℃
- Incubation days
- 20〜21 days
- Sexual maturity
- 9 mo
Breeding season: Year-round under stable temperature and photoperiod in captivity
Breeding notes
Species used: Hippocampus erectus (lined seahorse). Seahorses have a unique reproductive mode: the female transfers 250–650 eggs into the male's abdominal brood pouch, and the male incubates them for 20–21 days before releasing free-swimming juveniles. In the table here, "clutch size" is the number of eggs the female transfers per event (brood size) and "incubation days" is the male's brooding period inside the pouch. Optimal captive water temperature is 22–25 °C (72–77 °F per AlgaeBarn); higher temperatures tend to shorten the brooding period (Wang et al. 2018). Sexual maturity is reached at approximately 273 days (≈ 9 months). Pairs are monogamous and reinforce their bond with a daily greeting dance.
Breeding requires planning, proper husbandry, and responsibility. These figures are general guidelines.
Sources: Animal Diversity Web — Hippocampus erectus / Wang et al. 2018 — Temperature-induced physiological stress and reproductive characteristics of H. erectus during a thermal stress simulation (PMC6031341)
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Primary sources
- Wikipedia
- CITES Appendices (Hippocampus spp. App. II)
- Ministry of the Environment Specified Animal List
- Ministry of the Environment: List of Designated Invasive Species
- LiveAquaria
- Animal Diversity Web — Hippocampus erectus
- Wang et al. 2018 — Temperature-induced physiological stress and reproductive characteristics of H. erectus during a thermal stress simulation (PMC6031341)
- AlgaeBarn — Bizarre and Beautiful: The Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus)
Regulations & Conservation Status
CITES Appendix II
All species of the genus Hippocampus spp. are listed on CITES Appendix II (effective 2004; listed at genus level). International trade requires a permit.
Sources: CITES Appendices (Hippocampus spp. App. II) / Ministry of the Environment Specified Animal List / Ministry of the Environment: List of Designated Invasive Species
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Seahorse Listings
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