Overview
- Native to the Indo-Pacific, inhabiting coastal reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy ocean floors.
- Named for its distinct spiny protrusions along its body, which provide camouflage among coral and seagrass.
- Unlike smooth-bodied seahorses, its spines help it blend into its environment and deter predators.
- Swims upright and relies on its prehensile tail to anchor itself to coral, seagrass, and artificial structures.
- Highly sought after in the aquarium trade due to its striking appearance and captivating behavior.
Feeding
- Carnivorous, primarily feeding on small crustaceans such as copepods, amphipods, and mysis shrimp.
- Requires frequent feedings (at least 3-4 times per day) due to its lack of a stomach and fast digestion.
- Best fed with live or frozen enriched foods, as they are slow, deliberate feeders.
- May struggle in tanks with fast-moving fish that outcompete them for food.
- Uses a unique suction feeding mechanism, rapidly drawing in prey through its tubular snout.
Habitat
- Commonly found in shallow coastal waters, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows.
- Requires an aquarium with an abundance of hitching posts, such as live rock, coral branches, and artificial plants.
- Prefers a low-flow environment, as strong currents can make swimming difficult.
- Best housed in a species-specific tank or with other slow-moving, non-aggressive tank mates.
- A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended for a pair, with additional space needed for groups.
Fish Care
- Optimal water temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C).
- Ideal pH range: 8.1-8.4, with a specific gravity of 1.022-1.025.
- Highly sensitive to water quality and requires stable tank conditions.
- Must be housed in a mature, well-established aquarium with excellent biological filtration.
- Frequent water changes and proper filtration are essential for maintaining long-term health.
Compatibility
- Best suited for a peaceful, species-only tank or with other slow-moving, non-aggressive fish.
- Compatible with pipefish, small gobies, and certain blennies that do not compete for food.
- Should not be housed with fast-swimming, aggressive, or territorial fish.
- Avoid housing with stinging corals or anemones, as seahorses may accidentally latch onto them.
- Pairs and small groups thrive in aquariums where they can interact and exhibit natural social behaviors.
Aquarium Behavior
- Spends most of its time clinging to structures with its tail rather than actively swimming.
- Known for unique courtship displays, where pairs engage in synchronized movements and tail-wrapping rituals.
- Exhibits social behavior, often forming strong pair bonds.
- Fascinating to observe due to its slow, deliberate movements and method of capturing prey.
- Requires a stable and stress-free environment with plenty of hiding spots and hitching posts.