The common seahorse grows to around 30 cm and is instantly recognisable by its upright posture, curled prehensile tail, and horse-like head. Found in seagrass beds and mangrove roots across shallow Indo-Pacific waters, typically 1–5 metres deep, it anchors itself with its tail while feeding on tiny crustaceans. Males brood eggs in a specialised pouch until they are fully developed—a rare parental strategy among fish. Listed on CITES Appendix II due to pressure from the aquarium trade and traditional medicine.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Teleostei
- Order
- Syngnathiformes
- Family
- Syngnathidae
- Genus
- Hippocampus
Most likely to be seen at
Sites where its range and habitat make it likely — not yet confirmed by a logged sighting.