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Longnose seahorse (Hippocampus trimaculatus) — Syngnathidae

Longnose seahorse

Hippocampus trimaculatus
Family: Syngnathidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Longnose seahorse (Hippocampus trimaculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The longnose seahorse is a seahorse from the Indo-West Pacific, from India to Tahiti, north to Japan and south to Indonesia. The species grows to about 22 cm and has the upright, bony-ringed body, a prehensile tail and a long snout; many specimens bear three dark spots on the back. It clings to weeds, seagrass and coral of shallow coastal and mangrove water. The male carries the eggs in a pouch under the tail. Through harvest for traditional medicine and the aquarium trade it is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List and is covered by CITES Appendix II.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longnose seahorse?

The Longnose seahorse has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Longnose seahorse live?

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

How big does the Longnose seahorse get?

The Longnose seahorse grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Longnose seahorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Longnose seahorse is harmless to humans.

Is the Longnose seahorse edible?

The Longnose seahorse is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langsnuit-zeepaardje verified
English name
Longnose seahorse verified
Scientific name
Hippocampus trimaculatus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Longnose seahorse; Low-crowned seahorse; Smooth seahorse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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