Fin's Fish Guide
The Short-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 15 cm.
Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, in seagrass beds, among seaweeds and on rubble bottoms of shallow coastal water.
Description
The short-snouted seahorse is a seahorse of the family Syngnathidae reaching about 15 cm. Unlike most fish it swims upright, with the head at a right angle to the body, which is built of bony rings and ends in a prehensile gripping tail with which the fish holds onto seagrass or weeds. Characteristic, compared with the long-snouted seahorse, is the short snout. The species lives in seagrass beds and among weeds of shallow coastal water of the Mediterranean and the adjacent eastern Atlantic. With its tube-shaped snout it sucks up very small zooplankton. As in all pipefishes the male carries the brood: the eggs mature in a brood pouch on his belly until the young hatch. Its status is regarded as Data Deficient (DD).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Short-snouted seahorse?
The Short-snouted seahorse has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Seahorse with a short snout; swims upright, with a prehensile gripping tail and a body of bony rings. The male carries the juveniles in a brood pouch.
Where does the Short-snouted seahorse live?
The Short-snouted seahorse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds. Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, in seagrass beds, among seaweeds and on rubble bottoms of shallow coastal water.
How big does the Short-snouted seahorse get?
The Short-snouted seahorse grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.
Is the Short-snouted seahorse dangerous to humans?
No, the Short-snouted seahorse is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Short-snouted seahorse edible?
The Short-snouted seahorse is not usually eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Short-snouted seahorse and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Hippocampus
More from the family Syngnathidae
Want the complete picture on the Short-snouted seahorse?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Short-snouted seahorse is one of 12,519 species in the app.