Thorny seahorse
📖 Overview
A rare inhabitant of shallow sheltered reefs, found among clumps of algae or in seagrass beds. Large adult pelagic and probably associated with drifting debris. Associated with sponges and sea-squirts . Ovoviviparous . Feeds on zooplanktons and small crustaceans . The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail . Monogamous and always in home-ranging pairs, that is they do not defend an exclusive territory . Use in traditional Chinese medicine is increasing with the rise in patent medicines . Not common in the aquarium trade . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128812.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 4. : other.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Thorny seahorse is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Thorny seahorse is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and genetic . Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 0 - 82 m , usually 15 - 40 m . Tropical; 35°N - 35°S, 22°E - 132°W South Africa to French Polynesia; north to Japan, south to Australia.
🌿 Ecology
zooplanktons and small crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Longspine seahorse · Spiny Seahorse · Thorny Seahorse |
| 🌍AFR | Stekel-seeperdjie |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Hisan al-Bahar |
| 🏳️Catalan | Cavall de mar |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Tornet søhest |
| 🌍FIJ | Ose ni waitui |
| 🇫🇷French | Cheval de mer · Hippocampe · Hippocampe épineux · Hippocampe hérissé · Hippocamps à épines |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Ibara-Tatsu · Ibaratatsu · イバラタツ |
| 🇰🇷Korean | 가시해마 |
| 🌍MAL | Kuthirameen · കുതിര മീന് · കുതിരമീന് |
| 🌍MSA | Korek telinga · Kuda laut · Kuda laut duri · Kuda-kuda |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cavalo marinho |
| 🌍TAH | moai'a |
| 🌍VIE | Cá Ngựa gai · Cá Ngựa gai dài |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 刺海馬 · 刺海马 · 海馬 · 長棘海馬 · 长棘海马 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hippocamphus hystrix | Kaup | 1856 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 10 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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