Neptune’s rating:
54- Conservation StatusVulnerable
- DifficultyDifficult
- HardinessModerate
- Liters per Fish38 L
- OriginWestern Atlantic Ocean, From Nova Scotia, Canada, And The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, To Panama And Venezuela
- pH7.0 - 8.4
- PopularityModerate
- RarityRare
- Temperature22.0 - 28.0 °C
- VibrancyModerately Vibrant
Please note: These values are based on the average of various confirmed sources.
More about Lined Seahorse
The Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) is a marine fish recognized for its distinctive horse-like head and upright, coiled prehensile tail. It typically exhibits shades of brown, grey, or green, and may have lines or spots that aid in camouflage. This species is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Nova Scotia, Canada, to Venezuela, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. In the aquarium hobby, the Lined Seahorse is well known and appreciated for its unique appearance and behavior, though it requires specialized care that makes it more suited to experienced aquarists.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, a seahorse is a fish. Belonging to the family Syngnathidae, which also includes pipefish and seadragons, seahorses possess several defining characteristics of fish. They breathe through gills and have dorsal fins that aid in swimming, as well as pectoral fins near their heads for steering. Instead of typical fish scales, seahorses have bony plates arranged in rings around their bodies. Additionally, they are ectothermic (cold-blooded) animals, relying on external temperatures to regulate their body heat. Despite their unique appearance and upright swimming posture, these features confirm that seahorses are indeed classified as fish.
Seahorses have a unique reproduction method where the male becomes pregnant. During courtship, the female deposits her eggs into the male's brood pouch. The male fertilizes the eggs and carries them until they hatch, usually after two to four weeks. He then gives birth to fully formed baby seahorses, known as fry, which are independent from birth.