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Halfspined seahorse (Hippocampus semispinosus) — Syngnathidae

Halfspined seahorse

Hippocampus semispinosus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Halfspined seahorse (Hippocampus semispinosus) 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 Halfspined 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 Halfspined seahorse?

The Halfspined seahorse is mainly brown.

Where does the Halfspined seahorse live?

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

How big does the Halfspined seahorse get?

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

Is the Halfspined seahorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Halfspined seahorse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Halfstekel-zeepaardje sourced
English name
Halfspined seahorse sourced
Scientific name
Hippocampus semispinosus
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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