Home · Syngnathidae · Winged seahorse
Winged seahorse (Hippocampus alatus) — Syngnathidae

Winged seahorse

Hippocampus alatus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Winged seahorse (Hippocampus alatus) is a fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Winged seahorse is a seahorse (Syngnathidae) from coastal waters with seagrass, weed and coral of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 14 cm and has an upright body armoured with bony rings, a horse-like head, a tubular snout and a prehensile tail with which it grips on. Swimming with a fast-fluttering dorsal fin it sucks in small zooplankton. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Winged seahorse?

The Winged seahorse is mainly brown.

Where does the Winged seahorse live?

The Winged seahorse is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Winged seahorse get?

The Winged seahorse grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Winged seahorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Winged seahorse is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gevleugeld zeepaardje sourced
English name
Winged seahorse sourced
Scientific name
Hippocampus alatus
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
14 sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hippocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →