Around the world, there are about 35 different species of seahorses. These species are in the same class of bony fish (Actinopterygii), such as salmon or tuna, and in the same family as sea dragons and pipefish. These bony fish can be found, from 50 degrees north to 50 degrees south latitude, mostly living in the West Atlantic and the Indo Pacific region or tropical climates, and live about fifty feet in deep water. Seahorses appear having a horse-like head, monkey tail and kangaroo-like pouch. Each one of their two eyes moves independently, and in all directions. This allows the seahorse to maximize its search for food. These species swim vertically or upright. Seahorses have no stomach or teeth, and obtain their food by waiting until their prey comes close enough to suck them, with their long snouts (a fused jaw) or swallow life food whole.
Seahorses prey on small crustaceans such as amphipods, brine shrimp, tiny fish, and plankton. They get rid of their excrement’s, while doing a 360 degree turn around or dance. There skin is stretched over a series of bony plates that are visible as rings around the trunk. A group of spines on the top of the head is referred to as the cornet, and looks like a crown. Seahorses manage to camouflage themselves, from their enemies, by changing color and growing skin filaments to blend in with their surroundings. Most seahorses range from beige to brown to black in colors, change to fluorescent orange and deep purple, depending on the species. Also, during courtship and daily greetings, will change color. Seahorse enemies include, tuna, Dorado, penguins and other water birds, have found seahorses in their stomachs. The greatest predator, are humans capturing seahorses.
The difference between: Male and female seahorse, can be told apart by the male brood pouch. During the process of reproduction, which takes place at night – time or during a full moon, a courtship ritual dance begins the process. Afterwards, female seahorse deposits the orange colored eggs into the male seahorse pouch. Subsequently, the male seahorse than sways the body, in order to distribute the eggs in the pouch, and fertilize the eggs by the male sperm. The pouch is like womb, which provides nutrients and oxygen to the developing seahorses, while removing wastes. The eggs are held inside the pregnant male, until the eggs are hatch, which takes about 40 – 50 days. Duration of the pregnancy various, depends on the temperature of the water. Warmer water temperature equates to few number of days. At the end of the gestation or pregnancy, the male goes into labor (usually at night).
During this time, the male pumps and thrust (muscular contractions) for several hours (In some extreme cases takes one or two days), which releases the baby or miniature seahorses. Approximately, 100 – 200 babies are born, and measure between seven – twelve millimeters. Adult seahorses will grow to become in size, between two inches and about one foot. Dwarf Seahorses grow to a maximum of 1.5 inches. Seahorses can expect to live up to four years (depending on the species), and sexual maturity occurs by the age of six months. After the male has given birth, the breeding pair, may dance together for nine hours. Sometimes, a few days after birth, previous pregnant male seahorses may die, because if there are any dead babies in the pouch or ponies, which can cause putrefaction (decomposition) and bacterial infection. The seahorse is the only animal, in which the father is pregnant. Also, there are months long infertile periods. Studies have shown, most seahorses maintain a monogamous relationship with their mate, and possible lasting for several seasons. After, the death of the partner, the surviving seahorse, will either choose a new partner or will die within a few days.
The number of seahorses, have been diminishing around the world, because of they are exploited for use as traditional medicine, aquarium fish, souvenirs (jewelry, key chains, paper weights, and other crafts) (In 1995, at least 20 million dried seahorses were traded worldwide), tonic foods (Chinese), and storms, which tossed them ashore. Also, seahorses can die of exhaustion, if they are unable to grab hold of something with their tail. More than 600 years, the largest use of seahorses by traditional Chinese medicine. They are used to treat: Asthma, arteriosclerosis, incontinence, and impotence. Also, Chinese use seahorses as remedies for skin ailments, high cholesterol level, excess throat phlegm, heart disease, and lymph node disorders. Contributing to their demise or inhabitants is the destruction around the world of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass. Seahorses are captured and exported to many countries, especially to India, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Also, accidentally being caught and killed, in fish nets, and particularly in trawl nets intended to catch shrimps.
Since May 2004, seahorses have been listed under the Appendix ‘Two,’ of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (Cities). This means that trading seahorses must be controlled, in order to ensure their survival. Seahorses that are less than ten centimeters are prohibited from international export or trade. Many seahorse species were added to the World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Animals in 1996. “Project Seahorse is an international team of biologists, development specialists, and other professionals committed to conserving and managing seahorses, their relatives and habitats, while respecting human needs.”
When seahorses are kept in an aquarium, there should not be more than four seahorses in a 100liter aquarium tank. An ultraviolet sterilizer is required, because seahorses are very vulnerable to bacterial infections. Seahorses require many holdfasts, which are natural surfaces, such as “living rocks”. These permit a seahorses to hold onto something with their tails, otherwise become stressed and may lead to death. Common for captive seahorses kept in aquariums, a buoyancy problem due to gas bubbles. The bubbles appear in the male’s brood pouch, under the skin or internally. Solution to resolve this problem, the seahorse needs to be poked by a small, sterile syringe needle and massaged until the bubbles come out. Certainly, a dangerous and difficult procedure, that most seahorse aquarium owners or people are not qualified to perform.
