Common Seahorse
Description
of the Common Seahorse
The Common Seahorse is also known as the New Holland Seahorse,
Sydney Seahorse, White's Seahorse and is endemic to Australia.
Like all seahorses, its tail is prehensile meaning it has the
ability to grasp and hold onto objects. Seahorses also have
binocular vision, their eyes can move independently which helps
them to catch their prey.
Profile of
the Common Seahorse
This
Profile contains interesting facts and information about the
Common Seahorse species.
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Size: Up to 20cm
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Fish Tank
conditions:
PH 8.1 to 8.4
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Diet / Feeding:
Small Crustaceans
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Temperament:
Peaceful, good addition to community tank
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Behaviour: Slow
Swimmers. Have the amazing ability to change color depending
on their environment
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Range: Endemic
to Australia
Scientific
Classification of the Common 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.
Interesting Facts and Information -
How do you identify
the sex of a Common 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 -
Reproduction
The male seahorse has a pouch
where the female lays her eggs, they are then fertilized by the
male and stored in his pouch. The eggs hatch and stay in the
pouch until they are approximately 1cm long. The male will then
releases between 100 and 200 tiny seahorse who are left to care
for themselves.
Interesting Facts and Information -
Why do Common Seahorse have gills?
Gills enable the Common 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 Common 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. Seahorses lack a Caudal
Fin, instead they have a prehensile tail which they use to grasp
and hold onto objects such as seagrass. 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 Common Seahorse
has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.
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Ventral fins. The
ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The
Common Seahorse
has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.
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Pectoral fins. The
Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The
Common Seahorse
has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to
side movement
Interesting Facts and Information about
Common Seahorse
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