Hippocampus kuda

Hippocampus kuda
Seahorse
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Syngnathiformes
Family:	Syngnathidae
Genus:	Hippocampus
Species:	H. kuda
Binomial name
Hippocampus kuda Bleeker, 1852

Hippocampus kuda, also known as the common seahorse, is a member of the family Syngnathidae of the order Syngnathiformes. The common sea horse is a small, equine-like fish, with extraordinary breeding methods. 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.

Reproduction

The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch on his lower abdomen. After courtship the pair come close together so that the female's oviduct is close to, if not resting on, the brood pouch of the male, and the female expels some eggs into the pouch. This happens several times until spawning is complete. The male then wiggles about, as if to rearrange the eggs within his pouch. The exact point at which fertilization takes place is not known, though many assume that it occurs while the eggs are in the pouch. The incubation period is generally four to five weeks. To "give birth" the male bends forwards and then backwards, thrusting his pouch forward expelling one or two youngsters with explosive force. Raising the fry in an aquarium is difficult, as they require a large amount of minuscule live food.

Habitat and distribution

The common seahorse inhabits shallow coastal waters throughout the Indo-Pacific oceans. In the wild seahorse are found mainly among coral reefs, and shallow estuaries. They use their tails to anchor themselves to coral branches.

Physical description

The sea horse's swimming position is vertical, with slight inclinations forward or backward, depending on direction of travel. The body is covered with armored plates. An equinelike head set at right angles to the body ends in a long tubular snout. A bony "coronet" may develop on the head. The male seahorse has a small pouch used for carrying fertilised eggs in its lower abdomen. Females are also slightly smaller.

Aquarium care

A common seahorse anchored to coral

Common seahorses have very small mouths, therefore it is important to provide small foods like brine shrimp and even newborn guppies. Seahorses need to eat frequently-almost five times a day. Many aquarists who have kept this species opted to cultivate their own brine shrimp, and rotifers. Daphnia is also eaten when other foods are unavailable.

Seahorses spend most of their time anchored to coral reefs and branches by their tails, due to the fact that they are very poor swimmers. In the aquarium, anchor points must be given. Seahorses like a quiet tank, with no large, belligerent fish, and a slow-moving current. Aquarists have found them to be generally accepting of tankmates like Siniperca (mandarins) and other bottom dwelling fishes.

Temperature, pH, and salinity

Common seahorse generally do best at a temperature of 72°F-77°F, with around 73°F-75°F being their optimum temp. They do not tolerate temperature spikes above 80°F well. Their optimal pH range is around 8.1-8.4.. The common seahorse can tolerate a range of salinity from a minimum of 18 parts per thousand (ppt) to a maximum of 36ppt but living conditions below about 25ppt should be promptly corrected. About 32 ppt is ideal.