Hippocampus mohnikei Bleeker, 1853
Japanese seahorse
Hippocampus mohnikei
photo by Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC)

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  8 cm OT (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: India to southeast Asia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-16. Description: (based on 14 specimens): Adult height: 5.0-8.0cm. Rings: 11+38 (37-40). Snout length: 3.0 (2.8-3.9) in head length. Dorsal fin rays: 15-16 covering 2+1 rings. Pectoral fin rays: 13 (12-14). Coronet: low, ridge-like crest. Spines: low, body appears very laterally flattened. Other distinctive characters: double rounded cheek spines and below eye; tail extremely long in proportion to body; slight enlargement of trunk rings numbered (1), 4 and 7 and tail rings numbered 5, 10 (or 9) and 14. Color pattern: usually dark brown all over, but may be mottled.
Biology:  In Zostera seagrass beds; also in estuaries. Length type refers to height (= TL - head length). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128812.
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 27 September 2016 (A2cd+4cd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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