Knysna seahorse
📖 Overview
Found in bays and estuaries among submerged vegetation; diurnal . Can tolerate salinities from 1-59 ppt . Ovoviviparous . The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail . Length type refers to Height (= from top of coronet to the tip of straightened tail). Breeding in the aquarium is possible .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 3. : other.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Knysna seahorse is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Brackish; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 27 m . Temperate; 18°C - 22°C ; 33°S - 34°S Southeast Atlantic: endemic to South Africa.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Knysna seahorse is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Knysna seahorse is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Knysna seahorse has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Cape Seahorse · Knysna seahorse |
| 🌍AFR | Knysna-seeperdjie · Seeperdjie |
| 🏳️Catalan | Cavallet de mar del cap |
| 🌍CES | koníček kapský |
| 🇩🇪German | Knysna-Seepferdchen |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Cavalluccio del Capo · Ippocampo del Capo |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cavalo-marinho-do-cabo |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Caballito de mar de Knysna |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 南非海馬 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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