Longsout seahorse

Hippocampus reidi

Family: Syngnathidae | Genus: Hippocampus

Longsout Seahorse

Hippocampus reidi

Family: Syngnathidae | Genus: Hippocampus

Seagrass meadows and coral reefs | Carnivore | Western Atlantic | Up to 17.5 cm

The longsnout seahorse is one of the ocean's most iconic species. Its common name comes from the distinctive horse-like shape of its head, which is joined to the rest of the body at a right angle—a unique anatomical feature among fishes. Belonging to the family Syngnathidae and the genus Hippocampus, the longsnout seahorse, also known as the slender seahorse, is recognised by its elongated snout and the series of pale, usually whitish, rings running along its body.

Geographical distribution

Found in the western Atlantic, from North Carolina (United States), Bermuda and the Bahamas south to Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Hábitat

This non-migratory species is closely associated with coral reefs, thriving in subtropical waters at depths of up to 55 metres.

Habitat description: It prefers ecosystems characterised by

• Calm subtropical waters.
• Coral reefs with abundant marine vegetation.
• Seagrass meadows and macroalgae that provide secure anchoring points.

Lifstyle behaviour

The longsnout seahorse is a sedentary species, spending much of its time attached to marine vegetation using its prehensile tail. It moves by swimming very slowly, propelled by the undulating motion of its dorsal and pectoral fins. Despite its slow movement, it is an efficient predator that locates prey by moving each eye independently.

Social behaviour

• Sedentary and territorial species.
• Forms monogamous pairs during the breeding season.
• Remains anchored to marine vegetation for most of the time.

Daily activity

• Stays motionless while gripping stems and plants with its prehensile tail.
• Swims very slowly in an upright position.
• Moves each eye independently to detect prey.
• Actively hunts small zooplanktonic crustaceans.

Reproduction

• Ovoviviparous species with a remarkable reversal of parental roles.
• The male carries the developing young in a brood pouch for approximately 14 days. At birth, the fry measure around 7 mm.
• A single male can incubate and successfully develop up to 1,000 eggs before releasing the young.

Relationship with their environment

• Camouflage: Body shape and colouration allow them to blend seamlessly with surrounding vegetation.
• Anchoring: Their spiral-shaped prehensile tail enables them to grip vegetation securely.
• Locomotion: Swim using the undulating movement of the dorsal fin, assisted by the pectoral fins.

Diet

In the wild

• Feed on small crustaceans that form part of the zooplankton.
• Capture prey by sucking it in through their pipette-shaped snout.
• Swallow prey whole, as they lack teeth.
• Consume large amounts of food because their digestive system is relatively inefficient due to the absence of pyloric caeca.
• Independently moving eyes help them accurately detect prey.

Under human care

• Require frequent feeding with live or frozen prey.
• Diet consists mainly of Artemia, mysid shrimp (Mysis) and other small crustaceans.
• Need around five feeds per day because of their rapid digestion and the absence of pyloric caeca.
• Juveniles are initially fed Artemia nauplii. As adults, they are fed mysid shrimp and Artemia, while breeding adults also receive krill as part of their diet.

Conservation status

estado de conservación Caballlito de mar de hocico largo

The longsnout seahorse (Hippocampus reidi) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

Since 2004, it has also been listed in Appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Main threats:

• Habitat loss, particularly affecting coral reefs and seagrass meadows.
• Bottom trawling, which causes significant damage to seabed habitats.

Related species at Poema del Mar