Short-snouted Seahorse
Hippocampus hippocampus

Habitat: Coastal waters and seagrass beds
Depth: To 60m
Food: Plankton, detritus
Length: Up to 15cm
Lifespan: 3-5 year
Conservation Status: Data Deficient (DD)
Seahorses are fascinating fish that live in shallow coastal areas among algae and eel grass. Slow at swimming they hide in weed, using their prehensile tail to hold on, and wait to pounce on small shrimps and other plankton. With no stomach, seahorses need to eat frequently. At breeding time, male and female seahorses get together for a courtship dance, then the female lays her eggs in a pouch on the male’s belly. He then gives birth to hundreds of babies.