Longsnout Seahorse

Longsnout Seahorse

Description of the Longsnout Seahorse
The Longsnout Seahorse is also known as the Slender Seahorse and Brazilian Seahorse. It is found in coral reefs and seagrass seabeds. The males are usually Orange and the females Yellow in color. The female seahorse lays her eggs in the males pouch, he then protects them and gives birth to the babies. The male can carry up to 1000 young in their pouches!

Profile of the Longsnout Seahorse
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Longsnout Seahorse species.

• Size: Up to 17cm 

• Diet / Feeding: Prefer live food but will eat frozen mysis shrimp, krill or cherry shrimp

• Behaviour: Peaceful, Slow moving. Need plants to cling to

• Range: Western Atlantic and Caribbean Oceans

Scientific Classification of the Longsnout Seahorse
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Hippocampus reidi

• Popular Name: Longsnout Seahorse - Slender Seahorse - Brazilian Seahorse

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chord

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Gasterosteiformes

• Family: Syngnathidae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Longsnout Seahorse?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Longsnout Seahorse slimy?
Longsnout Seahorse secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Longsnout Seahorse to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Longsnout Seahorse have gills?
Gills enable the Longsnout Seahorse to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Longsnout Seahorse have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Longsnout Seahorse has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Longsnout Seahorse has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Longsnout Seahorse has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Longsnout Seahorse has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Longsnout Seahorse