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Bighead seahorse (Hippocampus grandiceps) — Syngnathidae

Bighead seahorse

Hippocampus grandiceps
Family: Syngnathidae

The Bighead seahorse (Hippocampus grandiceps) is a fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bighead seahorse is a seahorse (Syngnathidae) from shallow seagrass, weed and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an upright, armoured body with a horse-like head, a tubular snout and a prehensile tail with which it holds onto seagrass and coral. As a slow dweller it sucks up minute crustaceans. Remarkably the male broods the eggs in a pouch on the belly. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bighead seahorse?

The Bighead seahorse is mainly brown.

Where does the Bighead seahorse live?

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

How big does the Bighead seahorse get?

The Bighead seahorse grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Bighead seahorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Bighead seahorse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootkop-zeepaardje sourced
English name
Bighead seahorse sourced
Scientific name
Hippocampus grandiceps
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

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

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

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