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Coleman's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus colemani) — Syngnathidae

Coleman's pygmy seahorse

Hippocampus colemani
Family: Syngnathidae

The Coleman's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus colemani) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–12.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Lord Howe I.

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Description

The Coleman's pygmy seahorse is a seahorse (Syngnathidae) from the southwest Pacific. The species grows to about 2.7 cm and has an upright body armoured in bony rings with a horse-like head, a prehensile tail and a tubular snout. This tiny seahorse lives hidden among seagrass and algae on shallow sand flats. It swims slowly and clings with its tail to weed, coral or seagrass and sucks in minute crustaceans. The male carries the eggs in a pouch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coleman's pygmy seahorse?

The Coleman's pygmy seahorse has an irregular in shape body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Coleman's pygmy seahorse live?

The Coleman's pygmy seahorse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, Lord Howe I.

How big does the Coleman's pygmy seahorse get?

The Coleman's pygmy seahorse grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Coleman's pygmy seahorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Coleman's pygmy seahorse is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Coleman's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus colemani) — Syngnathidae — 2
Sally Reader (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Coleman's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus colemani) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) David Harasti, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coleman's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus colemani) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) divewithelina, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coleman's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus colemani) — Syngnathidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) 貓尾巴, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Coleman's pygmy seahorse sourced
Scientific name
Hippocampus colemani
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.7 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
12.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Lord Howe I. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hippocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

Fin

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