Seahorse
Class: Actinopterygii
Scientific Name: Hippocampus kuda
a. Description
Hippocampus kuda, also known as the common seahorse, estuary seahorse, or yellow seahorse is a member of the family Syngnathidae (seahorses and pipefishes) of the order Syngnathiformes. The common seahorse is a small, equine-like fish, with extraordinary breeding methods.Common seahorses have very small mouths, eating only small animals like brine shrimp and even newborn guppies. Daphnia is eaten when other foods are unavailable.
b. Interesting facts:)
- Greeks and Romans believed the seahorse was an attribute of the sea god Poseidon/Neptune, and the seahorse was considered a symbol of strength and power.
- Europeans believed that the seahorse carried the souls of deceased sailors to the underworld, giving them safe passage and protection until they met their soul's destination.
- The common seahorse is considered a vulnerable species.
- Seahorse spend most of their time anchoring to coral reefs and branches with their tails, made necessary because they are poor swimmers.
They help to keep the algae population down by eating them and providing food for other predatory fish.
d.Food chain
Algae ----> Guppies ----> Seahorse ----> Tuna
f.Threats to the seahorses
Most of the members of the family Syngnathidae are weak swimmers. During heavy storms and hurricanes, they are washed ashore or exhaust themselves swimming.Seahorses and pipefishes depend upon specific habitats for camouflage, their primary defense mechanism . Unfortunately, all of the habitats which seahorses and pipefishes called home are facing destruction .Pollution, rising sea temperatures, and other factors are destroying coral reef, mangroves and seagrass beds at an alarming rate.
The common seahorse is now commercially cultured to help cope with the demand for seahorses for traditional Chinese medicines,souvenirs, and the aquarium industry.
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