Page 281 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

HAWKFISH • SEA HORSES 279

SEA HORSES Hippocampus kuda

Common Sea horse

ORIGINS The Red Sea through the Indo-Pacific region to
Sea horses are among the most the east coast of Asia and the north of Japan.
instantly recognizable and fascinating SIZE 10 in (25 cm).
DIET Primarily live brine shrimp.
of all marine fish. Less well known, WATER Temperature 75–77°F (24–25°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
however, are their elongated relatives TEMPERAMENT Inoffensive.
called pipefish. Found in temperate The Common Sea horse is often,
but not always, yellow in color.
and tropical waters, both groups As with other members of this
share unusual breeding habits, group, it is an expert at
camouflage, changing its
with the male caring for the eggs color to blend in with the
surroundings. This makes it difficult
and often carrying them in a pouch on to distinguish between different
species with certainty. All sea horses
the front of his body. These fish need lack a caudal fin, which is replaced
instead by a prehensile tail.
to be fed up to four times a day, since This allows the fish to anchor
they eat almost constantly in the wild. themselves to items such as
seaweed fronds. Sea horses can Tapering
be incorporated as part of a body
reef aquarium and kept in the
Sea horses adopt a vertical posture when resting but company of other very gentle Curled tail
swim with their body tilting forward. These are fish. Their propulsive power used for
Barbour’s Sea horses (Hippocampus barbouri). anchorage
is provided by the dorsal fin.
Hippocampus erectus Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus Syngnathoides biaculeatus
Lined Sea horse Banded Pipefish Alligator Pipefish

ORIGINS From Eastern North America down through the ORIGINS From the Red Sea and the East African coast ORIGINS From the Red Sea, via the Indo-Pacific region,
Caribbean to northern South America. through the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. as far as southern Japan and northeastern Australia.
SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 7 in (18 cm). SIZE 12 in (30 cm).
DIET Mainly live brine shrimp. DIET Brine shrimp and other small live foods. DIET Mainly live brine shrimp.
WATER Temperature 75–77°F (24 –25°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 75–77°F (24–25°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 75–77°F (24–25°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Placid and sedentary. TEMPERAMENT Placid. TEMPERAMENT Very placid.
The Lined Sea horse is one of the smaller Pipelike This pipefish has filamentous areas on its head,
species, displaying the typical protective body shape which may help to conceal its presence. It is light
bony rings around its body. Lined Sea green, with a yellower tone to its underparts.
horses tend to have a shorter life Even The tail is prehensile, allowing
span than their larger banding the Alligator Pipefish
relatives—about two to anchor itself to coral. The
years compared to five. dorsal fin is inconspicuous,
Breeding results in while the caudal, anal,
aquariums have improved This pipefish has alternating bands of pale yellow and pelvic fins are absent.
significantly over recent and reddish-brown along the length of its body. These pipefish are weak
years. The female lays Its predominantly red caudal fin is edged with swimmers, so they rely
her eggs directly in the white. The other fins on its body are very small on camouflage to evade
male’s brood pouch, and inconspicuous, and the tail provides the main predators. The eggs are
and the young propulsive thrust for swimming. Pipefish need a carried stuck on the
emerge into the quiet aquarium where they will not be harried by male’s abdomen, not
aquarium about the other occupants. The elongated snout is used in a brood pouch.
a month later. to suck small invertebrates into the mouth. The Long, broad-
diet of larger pipefish can be supplemented with
Prehensile tail ended snout
the fry of livebearers such as guppies.

US_278-279_Hawkfi_Seahorse.indd 279 14/09/18 12:07 PM