Seahorse: A unique marine creature hunted by divers

 

Seahorses are small marine fish known for their distinctive horse-like head and curved tail. They belong to the genus Hippocampus, which is part of the larger family Syngnathidae, which also includes pipefish and sea dragons. There are about 46 recognized species of seahorses, and they live mainly in shallow tropical and temperate waters around the world.

Seahorse on a sandy buttom
at Pandanan Marine Technopark.

Physical Characteristics

• Shape and Size: Seahorses are unique because of their upright swimming style and prehensile tails, which they use to grasp onto sea grasses, corals, or other underwater structures. They range in size from under an inch to over a foot in length, depending on the species.
• Color and Camouflage: They come in a range of colors and can change colors to blend into their surroundings, which helps them hide from predators.
• Body Structure: Unlike most fish, seahorses do not have scales; instead, their bodies are covered in tough, bony plates. They also lack caudal fins (fins on the tail), and instead, they have a dorsal fin on their back to help propel them forward.

Behavior and Feeding

• Feeding: Seahorses feed on small crustaceans and plankton. They have a unique hunting technique, using their long snouts to suck up tiny prey by creating a vacuum.
• Movement: They are slow swimmers, moving with the help of their small, fluttering dorsal fin. They also use their pectoral fins (located near the back of their head) for steering.

Reproduction

Seahorses are famous for their unusual reproductive role reversal. In this species, it is the males that carry and give birth to the young. During mating, the female transfers her eggs to a special pouch on the male’s abdomen, where he fertilizes them internally. After a gestation period of about two to four weeks, the male gives birth to tiny, fully formed seahorses.

Conservation

Many seahorse species are under threat due to habitat destruction, pollution, and overfishing (often for use in traditional medicine or the aquarium trade). Conservation efforts focus on protecting their habitats, especially seagrass beds and coral reefs, and regulating trade.

Seahorses are fascinating examples of the diversity in marine life, with unique adaptations that make them a popular topic of study and conservation.