Species Spotlight: Seahorses

Floating in undersea grass beds, propelled by tiny, delicate fins, you’ll find one of nature’s most fascinating creatures—the seahorse. With over 50 species of this striking creature, it’s no wonder scientists keep learning more about them every day.

They’re known for their horse-like snouts and long, curled tails, but there’s more to these fish than meets the eye. (And yes—seahorses are classified as fish! They breathe through gills, leading scientists to place them in the “bony fish” category). From their mating rituals to their survival skills, seahorses’ behaviors are incredibly unique.

Next time you slip on your wetsuit, keep an eye out for these dainty, gentle fish!

QUICK FACTS ABOUT SEAHORSES

• The Latin word for seahorse is “hippocampus,” which means “horse caterpillar.”
• Seahorses have excellent eyesight. Their eyes can act independently of one another, allowing them to look in two different directions at once.
• Searhorses use their thin snouts to find and suction up food.
• They mainly feed on plankton, as well as the occasional tiny crustacean or fish.
• Seahorses don’t have scales, instead they have bony exoskeletons.
• Seahorses can quickly change color in order to camouflage themselves.
• They use their snake-like tails to grasp grasses and corals in order to avoid floating away in the current.
• Seahorses are extremely light-sensitive and can get agitated if divers shine bright lights on them.

SEAHORSE MATING + REPRODUCTION

Seahorses are one of the few creatures that mate for life. In fact, they show their unwavering dedication to their partners with a dramatic mating ritual. The male and female pair approach each other, rapidly changing color, and rotate around an object together, sometimes for hours.

Even more fascinating? Female seahorses lay their eggs on a male seahorses abdomen, impregnating him with their young. This makes seahorses the only species in which the male fully carries the young. These males can give birth up to 1000 babies at once! But once these juveniles are born, they must learn to survive on their own. They often clump together in small groups, floating along in the current with their tails intertwined.

BEST PLACES TO SEE SEAHORSES

Seahorses are found in warm, shallow waters. From Mexico and Fiji to the UK and Australia, they can be spotted at many dive sites…if you know where to look!

HOW TO SPOT SEAHORSES

Seahorses love to hang out in grass beds, wrapping their long tails around the weeds to hold themselves upright. They often take on the colors of the corals, grass and sea elements they’re hiding in, so look closely to spot them. Their twisty tails and fluttering dorsal fins often give them away.

SEAHORSE ENDANGERMENT

As magical as seahorses may seem, the truth is they’re in trouble. Large-scale harvesting of seahorses for souvenirs, medicine and even aquariums is making it difficult for the species to thrive. Not to mention, their close relationship with coral reefs makes them extremely susceptible to pollution.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Do your best not to support seahorse harvesting by avoiding products made from seahorses. You should also ensure all of your dives are reef-friendly. From picking up trash underwater to wearing reef-safe sunscreen, there’s plenty you can do to keep our ocean clean (learn more here). The seahorses will thank you!