[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Marine Fish – Sea Horses

Directory of Marine Fish

Sea Horses

Sea horses are among the most instantly recognizable and fascinating of all marine fish. Less well known, however, are their elongated relatives called pipefish. Found in temperate and tropical waters, both groups share unusual breeding habits, with the male caring for the eggs and often carrying them in a pouch on the front of his body. These fish need to be fed up to four times a day, since they eat almost constantly in the wild.

Common Sea horse (Hippocampus kuda)

• ORIGINS: The Red Sea through the Indo-Pacific region to the east coast of Asia and the north of Japan.
• SIZE: 10 in (25 cm).
• DIET: Primarily live brine shrimp.
• WATER: Temperature 75–77°F (24–25°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Inoffensive.

The Common Sea horse is often, but not always, yellow in color. As with other members of this group, it is an expert at camouflage, changing its color to blend in with the surroundings. This makes it difficult to distinguish between different species with certainty. All sea horses lack a caudal fin, which is replaced instead by a prehensile tail. This allows the fish to anchor themselves to items such as seaweed fronds. Sea horses can be incorporated as part of a reef aquarium and kept in the company of other very gentle fish. Their propulsive power is provided by the dorsal fin.

Lined Sea horse (Hippocampus erectus)

• ORIGINS From Eastern North America down through the Caribbean to northern South America.
• SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET Mainly live brine shrimp.
• WATER Temperature 75–77°F (24–25°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT Placid and sedentary.

The Lined Sea horse is one of the smaller species, displaying the typical protective bony rings around its body. Lined Sea horses tend to have a shorter life span than their larger relatives—about two years compared to five. Breeding results in aquariums have improved significantly over recent years. The female lays her eggs directly in the male’s brood pouch, and the young emerge into the aquarium about a month later.

Banded Pipefish (Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus)

• ORIGINS: From the Red Sea and the East African coast through the Indian Ocean to the Pacific.
• SIZE: 7 in (18 cm).
• DIET: Brine shrimp and other small live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 75–77°F (24–25°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Placid.

This pipefish has alternating bands of pale yellow and reddish-brown along the length of its body. Its predominantly red caudal fin is edged with white. The other fins on its body are very small and inconspicuous, and the tail provides the main propulsive thrust for swimming. Pipefish need a quiet aquarium where they will not be harried by the other occupants. The elongated snout is used to suck small invertebrates into the mouth. The diet of larger pipefish can be supplemented with the fry of livebearers such as guppies.

Alligator Pipefish (Syngnathoides biaculeatus)

• ORIGINS: From the Red Sea, via the Indo-Pacific region, as far as southern Japan and northeastern Australia.
• SIZE: 12 in (30 cm).
• DIET: Mainly live brine shrimp.
• WATER: Temperature 75–77°F (24–25°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Very placid.

This pipefish has filamentous areas on its head, which may help to conceal its presence. It is light green, with a yellower tone to its underparts. The tail is prehensile, allowing the Alligator Pipefish to anchor itself to coral. The dorsal fin is inconspicuous, while the caudal, anal, and pelvic fins are absent. These pipefish are weak swimmers, so they rely on camouflage to evade predators. The eggs are carried stuck on the male’s abdomen, not in a brood pouch.