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Denise's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise) — Syngnathidae

Denise's pygmy seahorse

Hippocampus denise
Family: Syngnathidae

The Denise's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
7.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

Denise's pygmy seahorse is one of the smallest seahorses (Syngnathidae) from the western Pacific. The species stays about 2 cm long and lives exclusively on gorgonian fan corals, whose colour and knobbly texture it mimics perfectly. With its tubular snout it sucks up minute zooplankton. As in other seahorses the male carries and broods the eggs in a pouch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Denise's pygmy seahorse?

The Denise's pygmy seahorse has an irregular in shape body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Denise's pygmy seahorse live?

The Denise's pygmy seahorse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Denise's pygmy seahorse get?

The Denise's pygmy seahorse grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Denise's pygmy seahorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Denise's pygmy seahorse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Denises dwergzeepaardje sourced
English name
Denise's pygmy seahorse sourced
Scientific name
Hippocampus denise
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.2 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
7.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
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

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