The smallest seahorse is Indonesia’s Satomi’s pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus satomiae) with an average length of 13.8 mm.The largest species is Australia’s Big Bellied seahorse … Over 1000 photos of bony fishes (one page each about pipefishes, seahorses and ghostpipefishes and sea moths) - Index of all Fish photos - Index only photos of Seahorses and Pipefishes. The different species of seahorses are commonly  distributed in the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, including a portion of the Mediterranean Sea. Seahorses appear to resemble equine animals than a typical fish, but they have several features that characterize them in the fish classification. The  constitution of the bag  remains  steady during  the gestation   and it is very similar to the sea water , since body fluids are used. It should be noted that these animals reach sexual maturity at the same time in both genders. Promote the conservation of habitats, which are commonly  tropical coasts where humans have easy access. Ask students what a baby seahorse is called (a juvenile) and where it comes from (an egg). In spite this fact people continue buying sea horses to keep them as pets. In this species the male tends to grow a bit more than the female. They breathe through gills and all seahorses use fins for propulsion through water. Seahorses are tiny fishes that are named for the shape of their head, which looks like the head of a tiny horse. These aquatic creatures turn the average person’s idea of a “fish” on its head. These fish are excellent to take care of their predators, ( by camouflaging),  since they are able to change the color of their skin. However  the captivity industry  is not stopped. General Characteristics. The Dwarf Seahorse’s top speed is 5 feet per hour, making it the slowest-moving fish. They prefer warm waters, with temperatures between 3o C and 28oC, which is another distinctive characteristic of their habitat. These bony plates are arranged in rings throughout the animal's body. The seahorse has an elongated structure made up   a sort of rings that cover their bony plates, which  held together and culminate in the bottom in  a spiral shape, which is actually his tail. Inform the communities about the conservation of this species in order to avoid their catches, either for consumption or captivity. Seahorses vary widely in size, they can be as small as a pumpkin seed or as large as a banana. The largest seahorse species (pictured here) is Hippocampus abdominalis, or the big-bellied seahorse, which can reach more than a foot long (35 cm) and lives in the waters off Southern Australia and New Zealand.The smallest seahorse, Satomi's pygmy seahorse … If you consider having an animal of this species  as a pet , the aquarium must have the same aspects of  his environment  especially the right temperature. Seahorses are an upright fish. This type, unlike other species  has a soft and smooth texture on their skin. This is the best known  species, according to its appearance. Seahorse facts for kids: learn all about these fab fish, with facts about seahorse characteristics, behaviour, habitat, range, diet and life cycle. This happens when they make quick movements, which makes their  skull to come into contact with a part of the outer skeleton. The advantage is that she can start to produce more eggs and immediately prepare for another mating session. For this reason  researchers must be very precise      when describing  the characteristics of each species. As a result, they honored the Seahorse giving it the symbolic value of … The gestation of the eggs , takes between 10 days up to six weeks, it depends on the species of seahorse. This species is distributed mostly in the waters of Australia and also in regions of Indonesia. Males have a smooth and soft abdomen, compared to that  of females, which is usually more pointed. Seahorses have an equine appearance with long-snouted heads and bent necks. In the  last two centuries 120 species of this fish were defined, but  researchers  noticed, that many times they were describing the same species, with some different features. Although this reason is not alarming, according to various investigations, the number of these events is increasing. The teaching resource can be used in study group tasks and discussions about seahorses. "Hippocampus" comes from the Ancient Greek hippokampos (ἱππόκαμπος hippókampos), itself from hippos (ἵππος híppos) meaning "horse" and kampos (κάμπος kámpos) meaning "sea monster". This type of reproduction is influenced by aspects of the environment, such as temperature, the amount of light and the stream of water. This is the best known species, according to its appearance. Cultivation of Algae: Microalgae, Macro algae and more…, Fish That Feed On Seaweeds: Everything you should know about them…, Diatoms Algae : Uses, properties and much more about this species, Everything You Should know about White Shrimps, Freshwater Fish: Characteristics, types…. They also exhibit the unique trait of swimming upright and use their dorsal and pectoral fins to maneuver themselves in the water. Just like every dog has a different personality. ;  since the Pygmy seahorse is one of the smallest,  his diet is reduced to small particles that can be found in the surroundings , even tiny particles of crustacean. Due to its size this species faces great risks, since it lacks the strength to withstand strong water currents. They differ considerably in size, shape, and appearance but curiously they all share some common seahorse characteristics. 2. There are around 53 different individual species of seahorses in the world, and they all look […] Marine Algae: characteristics, classification, benefits and more…, Flying Squids: Everything you need to know about them, Parrot fish: Characteristics, types, habitat and more…, The Anatomy of Fish: Classification, body parts and more, Nori Seaweed: Properties, preparation and much more. The head of the seahorse resembles a horses head and its body has an elongated tail covered by about 50 rectangular … Seahorses are often   caught  from their natural habitat , and used  as  pets at home. Limiting Factors Affect Seahorse Population. They don’t have any genetic link to those horses though. They feed on copepods, tiny fish, plankton, and brine shrimp and in huge quantities. On the other hand the smallest known species of seahorses, is Hippocampus satomiae, and the largest size is attributed to the species of Hippocampus ingens. In view of the alarming number of animals affected during last years, specialists and organizations disseminate general recommendations to raise awareness on the conservation of this species. The male regularly releases more than 1,000 fully formed baby seahorses from his abdomen each time as they are hatch. The reproductive process of seahorses is  carried out seasonally, and  the pairing is done in seasons where the sea temperature increases. The seahorses also lack a caudal fin unlik… If Your Spirit Animal is the Seahorse, read this carefully… The seahorse spirit animal wants to teach you the importance of keeping the romance … Main Characteristics of The Starfish The starfish are invertebrate creatures, which make up a large group of marine species, where cucumbers and sea urchins are probably the most common. The largest ones are only about 8 inches tall. They have 9-10 rings around their trunk and 31-32 around their tail. One of its characteristics that make it so special is that the male of the species is the one who gets pregnant. That the depends on what type of seahorse, but generally every seahorse is different. Note that although it is known by  the name of  horse,  there is not relationship between these species ,it was named thus  because of  the similarity in the traits of his head,…. Now, the eggs will be fertilized as they enter in the cavity of the male. Seahorse are fish. This feature in the seahorse’s  anatomy is  variant, because this animal has the peculiar ability to change the  color of  his  skin to camouflage  in the environment where he lives. These animals rarely survive the  stress  related to their  capture. In addition to the above, it is recommended to  be alert about not catching  seahorses by mistake. It is known that males become slightly larger than females. – Source. They are closely related to various forms of small aquatic life. All species have the ability to change their colors , in this case females usually have shades that range from yellow to slightly darker tones, and in the case of males have a grey color in various shades. Seahorses range in size—from as small as a pine nut to as large as a banana. 7. Sea Horse. The seahorse  has a tubular snout, and a mouth that lacks of teeth  . They are  also distributed on the shores of New Zealand and Australia. Even though these charismatic creatures are banned as trade items, they are still heavily traded in the … The seahorse swallows its food supplies whole. The female deposits the eggs into the male's reproductive pouch when they mate. The sea horse is best known for the remarkable fact that the male seahorse is the one that actually carries the eggs before they hatch. Seahorses can range from 0.6 to 14 inches (1.6 – 35 cm) in length. There are more than 50 individual Seahorse species on our planet. They all have the same relative shape, size, food source, and habitat. Their movement underwater and unique reproductive behavior fascinates and amazes most animal lovers. It  is known that more than 20 million seahorses, are caught annually especially in countries like China. These creatures  are commonly  found in  shallow tropical waters. This means that according to the colors of his  habitat , he will take the same shades. Seahorses have peculiar eyes which move independently of one another, thus, giving them the ability to detect predators and food from the front and back. All species have the ability to change their colors  , in this  case females usually have shades that range from yellow to slightly darker tones, and in the case of males have a grey color in various shades. Seahorses (Hippocampus spp of the family Syngnathidae) are fascinating examples of bony fish.They have a unique body morphology with a horse-shaped head, large eyes, curved trunk, and a prehensile tail. Seahorses are not  large animals, so their size is small compared to other species of fish. But unlike mermaids, seahorses are a real type of fish (Moore 1). Seahorses are not good sea swimmers. In turn, the seahorse has no stomach and gets used to consume large amounts of food. Firstly  we should   avoid catching  a seahorse from his habitat. Instead, the female seahorse lays her eggs … There are about 40 different species, including, Hippocampus fuscus (the black seahorse) and Hippocampus kuda (Oceanic seahorse, Kelloggs seahorse, Common seahorse or Yellow seahorse). The Seahorse is a younger cousin to Sea Dragons in Chinese culture. You’ll find them in the world’s tropical and temperate coastal waters, swimming upright among seaweed and other plants. Seahorse courtship begins with a daily "dance," during which the male and female gracefully swim together. The Pacific Seahorse is also able to change the color of its body ,  although it’s  commonly found in colors like gold, even in various shades of brown and white, a combination of these colors may also occur. Rather than a head out front and a tail in … The Seahorse belongs to the same family as pipe fishes and sea dragons. We work in partnership through a Seahorse Alliance with many organisations and people from all over the world and it is this unique partnership … During  the first days of life , the young seahorses , keep  going in and out of the father’s body puch. It also grows to a length of about 1 inch. The Effects of Limiting Factors on Seahorse Population There are over 50 different species of seahorses, yet they all have very similar characteristics. Line of Symmetry-A seahorse has a bilateral line of symmetry meaning that if cut along a central axis, the left and right half would be congruent. On the other hand, it is important to highlight that these animals perform their breathing through their gills, which are fastened in the vertebral column. Pupils will learn all about the unique behaviour and key characteristics of seahorses in this Animals primary resource. Seahorses mate for life and hold each other’s tails when they travel so they don’t drift apart in the current. Read on to learn about the seahorse. The seahorse meaning also points out the need to have a fresh new perspective or outlook in life. This type, unlike other species has a soft … They have the ability to suck their prey  entire , since these animals do not have teeth ; so  their food must fit  their  snout without problem. The  male’s  body experiences internal  changes  in order to improve the gestation . They are also distributed in the Red Sea. In fact, on a scale of success rate, the seahorse is the deadliest predator in the water. There are 35 different species of seahorse which can be found in warm shallow waters all over the world. The Seahorse lives in the corals, although  there are some species that  inhabit in macro algae, even mangrove and sea grass. First they have a face that looks like that of a land horse. 06. of 07. The characteristics of this birth leads us to conclude that this means an exhausting physical effort  for  the father, to finally give  birth  his offspring. The main characteristic of this species  is its  big and wide belly    . For example their hormones generate a placental fluid. Possibly the biggest threat to their existence is humanity. The reproductive method of seahorse procreation is vastly different than that of most other animal species. Seahorses growl when stressed, especially in response … They are small and commonly used in aquariums . We have selected seven of the most amazing and mind-blowing facts that characterize all seahorses. Furthermore, each seahorse has a kind of Crown on his head, which is unique to each  one , and it is called coral network. At the same time, the body of the male is held to a firm surface with his  tail, during all the gestation process . Except for crabs, few marine predators eat the seahorse – it is too bony and indigestible. Koi fish: Characteristics, history, types and more…. They also use their tail as a weapon when fighting over territory or partners. Male Seahorses Carry The Eggs. but there is much more information concerning the meaning of the seahorse. Seahorses Vary Widely in Size. The ringed interlocked plates on their body is … Crabs are one of few marine creatures that can digest seahorse's bony exoskeletons. So this is the  biggest species in the planet, living    mainly in corals. . – Source. Seahorses: Characteristics and Conservation Jody Becker June 4, 2000 Tropical Marine Ecology "Seahorses and tiny mermaids living admidst gardens of flowing seaweeds and pretty seashells are common in children's fantasies (Moore 1)." They are about seven to nine millimeters in length. They feast on tiny shrimps, fish and planktons. On the other hand, we should  be moderated, before using   jet skis and other equipment ,  we should know  previously if the  area is populated by seahorses. Males take care of the offspring from fertilization until they are born, in a unique way. This keeps them stable allowing them to feed and survive. During strong currents and sea storms they avoid death by anchoring their prehensile tail to coral or sea grass. Although a hue or color  can’t be specified  for each species of seahorses, each  one presents colors which are recognized among others. In addition to that,  it  is carried by the currents of his  habitat simulating the movements of these. PREDICT THE SIX STAGES OF A SEAHORSE’S LIFE CYCLE WITH STUDENTS. They are small  and commonly used in aquariums . They control their buoyancy using a swim bladder. This is a huge  risk for  them, since they are closely related to the conditions of their  environment, so if it changes could even die. Things are always changing, and you should also evolve along with them. Uniquely, they swim in an upright position which is not efficient and very tiring. Of course,  all depends on the species. Once  the period of gestation has concluded  , in the next step  (depending on the case of the species), the male seahorse expels  the offspring  from his pouch. In the same way as the previous species,  the Pacific  Seahorse is one of the largest in size, reaching 30 centimeters many times . This species is distributed in the waters of Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, El Salvador, United States, and Peru. 6. Even the dirtiness of fishing nets and the presence of heavy machinery in shallow waters, are common reasons that threaten the integrity and Habitat of seahorses. By . The Seahorse Trust was set up in 1999 as an umbrella organisation to preserve and conserve the natural world, especially the marine environment using Seahorses as our flagship species. A seahorse isn’t able to bend their tail backwards. Apart from those mentioned above , we can´t  ignore the negative effects resulting from the pollution of the sea,  affecting every marine species, specially seahorses who are usually  in small depths. This species is commonly  found in the South of Japan and North of Australia. The seahorse is a unique type of fish. This type of birth takes a few hours. Remind students that a seahorse is a type of fish ( It has fins and gills.). You are likely to think of deadly stealth animals with huge razor-sharp snarling teeth. Others include tuna, stingrays, manta rays, and crabs. This in order to avoid any risk in the environment. The male seahorse is equipped with a pouch,  on the ventral or front-facing side of the tail. A seahorse has 3 main fins. Far Eastern Seahorse Symbolic Meanings . This species  is one of the most popular in China, for medicinal purposes. This whole process of the entry  and fertilization of eggs in the body of the father , is carried out in just six seconds, this is a guarantee that  eggs will always come from a single female. Other reasons, which  are not usually  mentioned: Northern Snakehead Fish: Characteristics, habitat, types and more…. Seahorses have elongate bodies … Seahorses prefer to swim in pairs with their tails linked together. Since they are a bit larger than other species, their diet includes larger animals such as shrimp. Adult seahorses can measure up to 1 to 30 centimetres in length. In relation to his head it is  elongated. To make this possible, the male´s  body  contracts   making  movements that put pressure to expel each of the offspring. Males take care of the offspring from fertilization until they are born, in a unique way. There are no other creatures like them on the planet, and people of all ages are amazed by how these animals look, behave, and move beneath the waves. Sea Cucumbers: Characteristics, reproduction, habitats and more. Seahorses Unlike most other fish, they are monogamous and mate for life. The seahorses  communicate among themselves,   using  a sort of creaks that are generated from their head. Leopard Seals: Characteristics, reproduction, habitat and more. They swim upright and avoid predators by mimicking the colour of underwater plants. On the other hand, some species of these animals tend to be territorials ,  females  live  in a  territory not exceeding 100 square meters, and males do not reach a square meter. Facts about seahorse This video from sciencewithkids.com shows different facts about the seahorse. Characteristics of Seahorse people include inventiveness, a sense of inner peace, the ability to think out of the box and strong psychic aptitudes. They also have pectoral fins to assist their directional movement. (Shown Left) First, in what constitutes courtship in these animals they make a kind of dance, where sea horses pair intertwine their tails. The male has a pouch on his lower abdomen. The size of a seahorse can be as small as ½ inch tall. Report to the competent authorities about the illegal acts which may contribute to the preservation and care of the various species of seahorses. They hunt their prey through the sense of sight, since their eyes move independently, therefore they are able to differentiate these small species, which usually are crustaceans that make up the zooplankton. Seahorse Characteristics. They take the predominating  color  of the  environment where they develop, and they also  present  yellow and orange shades on their skin, , even grey  in some cases. To do this, you must also be informed of the areas where these animals live. The anatomy of the seahorse is very interesting. when it is carried out fishing for other larger species. Seahorses like to eat regularly even though they do not have teeth. Amazing Facts About the Seahorse. 6 Amazing Seahorse Characteristics 1. Seahorses use their dorsal fins (back fins) to propel … Its Genus is Hippocampus. When they get the closest prey,  they swallow it by means of their bony snout. During the  mating, the female seahorse deposits the eggs in the male´s pouch, who incubates them during the gestation period, until babies seahorses emerge  developed. Since seahorses are toothless creatures, they have to suck in the live food through their long snouts. There are about 56  known  species scattered throughout the world. Decorating Aquariums : The best algae to decorate domestic aquariums…. Having a head and neck suggestive of a horse, seahorses also feature segmented bony armo… Penguins are one of the most common predators of the seahorse. In terms of  size,  adults  can reach at least  14 mm up to 30 cm. Once the eggs are in the male´s pouch, they will be ready to start  properly developing protected by the body of the father seahorse. In the same way, they  count with olfactory pits, which are located just in front of their eyes. This animal may have a length of about 30 centimeters,  even some of them  can reach  50 cm. The accidental hunt of these  small animals , i.e. His body  experiences  stiffness,  that prevents him from swimming as  other species of fish,  this is the reason why   seahorse moves in an upright position , with help of his dorsal fin which drives his horizontal movements. These bony fish lack scales but have a thin skin layer stretching over a series of bony plates. Once  taken  the recommendations above,  there are  others issues we should consider: We should not forget that these fantastic marine animals, have an incomparable beauty that rarely can be found in other places and it is the only way to see a seahorse. Despite seahorse's cute appearance and unassuming demeanor, they are actually one of nature's most proficient killing machines. According to recent researches , captivity is  the main  threat for seahorses. Try to name the most ferocious marine creature that has a 90% success rate of killing and eating its intended prey. The male has a pouch on his lower abdomen. Seahorses do not have many aquatic predators to fear. In most other animal species the female is the one to protect the offspring until birth. At the same time they have ears that are comprised of tiny bones termed  Otoliths, ;they use them to perceive vibrations in the environment. Seahorse (Hippocampus) male seahorse with young emerging from the pouch : Characteristics. They  also inhabit  in the region of the Indo-Pacific waters, including part of the African coast and  the waters of the central Pacific. The foliate sea dragon  is characterized  by having extensions  similar to the figure of leaves, thus in many occasions the composition of his body, relates to the algae due to their similarity. Seahorses are bony fish and have an exoskeleton, with no scales. If this is the case you should return  them to their habitat as soon as possible. Description of the Seahorse. On the other hand,  unlike other species the Pygmy  seahorse  has a  slim snout. Gestation is also affected  by the temperature of the water, this is  the reason why this process  is carried out  in specific seasons. Seahorse physical characteristics. The characteristics of   the hippocampus fish, depend on several things. Comment The referred fin  moves at  speed of three times per second ,although the  seahorse is known by swimming slow and leisurely. This  is the main difference  with the  others species of seahorses, but at the same time, the sea dragon can change  its color to camouflage as the others  species do which depends ( as in  others species ) on the environment. This is the reason  why they feed,  on  much smaller species. The feeding of the foliate   Sea Dragon , is similar to that  of others  species ,  they  suck small crustaceans  trough their snout. 6. Although its  size varies according to its habitat. habitat and more…, Ghost-Crystal Shrimps: Everything you should know about them. There are at least 25 species of seahorses. How do seahorses give birth? This is one of the smallest species, and they take advantage  of their size  to easily  hide in their surroundings. This peculiar species , is also known by its scientific name of Phycodurus eques.