Gallery: Seahorses and their relatives (2024)

FAQs

What are the relatives of seahorses? ›

You are similar to the members of your family, but also different. Seahorse cousins and relatives include: Pipefish, Pipehorses, and Seadragons!

Seadragons and pipefish are close relations

Seahorses are members of the family Syngnathidae, a group that also comprises pipefishes and seadragons. These animals can be found all around the world, mainly near coasts.

The pipefishes and ghost pipefishes are among the closest relatives to seahorses and seadragons. Similar to those groups, these fishes have elongated snouts for capturing small prey and are extremely well-camouflaged.

They mate for life

Most seahorses are monogamous and mate for life, although a few species are polygamous and change mates from one breeding cycle to the next. However, all species of seahorse mate with only one individual per breeding cycle.

Seahorses are not one of those animals who change their sex. The female lays the eggs and the male carries the fertilized eggs on his back. They remain male and female.

Seahorse: any of the species of small marine fish in the genus Hippocampus. There are at least 47 different species of seahorses.

Even the Latin taxonomic family name stirs the imagination, as Hippocampus translates as the “horse sea monster”. The reality is that seahorses are part of the teleost group – the most common type of fish – and so are far more closely related to an Atlantic cod than to any horses, monsters or imaginary creatures.

Sea horse reproduce sexually by internal fertilisation. After fertilisation female spray or transfer her eggs in the males brood pocket via oviduct and then male keep them in pocket until they hatch and are capable of fairly active swimming.

Fun Facts. A seahorse is a type of fish closely related to pipefishes and belonging to the scientific family Syngnathidae.

While seahorses appear to be very different from other fishes in the sea, they belong to the same class as all other bony fish (Actinopterygii), such as salmon or tuna. Seahorses are members of the family Syngnathidae (sing-NATH-i-day) from the Greek words syn, meaning together or fused, and gnathus, meaning jaws.

Can a seahorse live with a clownfish? ›

Young clownfish can be suitable tank mates, but once they reach maturity, their aggressive behavior poses a serious threat to seahorses. Always have a backup plan when you're adding fish to a seahorse aquarium. Some fish can be model tank mates for months or years before viciously attacking a seahorse.

After that, the offspring must fend for themselves. Large litters are necessary because only about 0.5 percent will survive to adulthood. Many, if not all, of the 47 known seahorse species—14 of which were identified only in the 21st century—are in decline worldwide.

Seahorses are also consumed by Indonesians, central Filipinos, and many other ethnic groups.

Even the Latin taxonomic family name stirs the imagination, as Hippocampus translates as the “horse sea monster”. The reality is that seahorses are part of the teleost group – the most common type of fish – and so are far more closely related to an Atlantic cod than to any horses, monsters or imaginary creatures.

Due to their unique anatomical shape and lack of scales, many people may not consider seahorses 'fish' at first, but they are indeed! Possessing swim bladders to remain buoyant in the water and utilizing gills to breathe, these fish also thrive in a strong suit of sturdy armor-like plates.

seahorse, (genus Hippocampus), any of about 50 species of marine fishes allied to pipefishes in the family Syngnathidae (order Gasterosteiformes). Seahorses are found in shallow coastal waters in latitudes from about 52° N to 45° S. Their habitats include coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, and estuaries.