Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Hippocampus ingens
- Common name
- Pacific seahorse
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Syngnathidae
- Genus
- Hippocampus
- Size
- 15–30 cm
- Depth
- 1–60 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, seagrass-meadow
- Behaviours
- benthic, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Hippocampus ingens reaches 30 cm, largest East Pacific seahorse and only species present in the area. Body brown-yellow to red-brown to olive-brown, sometimes orange or black, tall coronet, long snout. Lives from 1 to 60 m on rocky reefs, gorgonians and seagrass meadows of East Pacific, from California to Peru, including Galapagos. Threatened by traditional medicine fishery and habitat degradation. IUCN Vulnerable. Iconic East Pacific dive photo subject, memorable encounter.
Photo of Pacific seahorse
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Pacific seahorse?
- Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) reaches 15–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Pacific seahorse?
- Pacific seahorse is found between 1–60 m deep.
- Is the Pacific seahorse dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Pacific seahorse?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Pacific seahorse?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Hippocampus
- Hippocampus pontohi - Pontoh's pygmy seahorse
- Hippocampus denise - Denise's pygmy seahorse
- Hippocampus severnsi - Severns' pygmy seahorse
- Hippocampus hippocampus - Short-snouted seahorse
- Hippocampus reidi - Longsnout seahorse
- Hippocampus bargibanti - Bargibant's pygmy seahorse
Other species in the family Syngnathidae
- Hippocampus guttulatus - Long-snouted seahorse
- Corythoichthys flavofasciatus - Yellow-banded pipefish
- Corythoichthys intestinalis - Messmate pipefish
- Doryrhamphus excisus - Flagtail pipefish
- Halicampus macrorhynchus - Ornate pipefish
- Phycodurus eques - Leafy seadragon
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 275197)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5201050)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia