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Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and seahorses) >
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) > Syngnathinae
Etymology: Hippocampus: Greek, ippos = horse + Greek,kampe = curvature (Ref. 45335); jugumus: From the Latin jugum meaning yoke, in reference to the yoke-like ridge formed by the shoulder rings joined over the nape.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; pelagic-neritic; non-migratory. Subtropical
Southwest Pacific: Known from a single specimen from Lord Howe Island.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 4.4 cm OT male/unsexed; (Ref. 42735)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20. Trunk rings 12; tail rings 37; subdorsal spines 4/0,1,1,1,1; nose spine moderately large, height about equal to pupil diameter; double spine above eyes moderately long, slightly longer than pupil diameter; lateral head spine double and large; coronet slightly raised; gill openings extending upwards, almost joined at neck ridge; shoulder rings confluent over neck-ridge forming continuous collar (Ref. 42735).
Body shape (shape guide): other.
Probably pelagic (Ref. 42735). Maximum length is based on a straight-line length measurement from upper surface (ignoring spines) of first trunk ring, to tip of tail (Ref. 42735). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch (Ref. 205).
Lourie, S.A., R.A. Pollom and S.J. Foster, 2016. A global revision of the seahorses Hippocampus Rafinesque 1810 (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes): taxonomy and biogeography with recommendations for further research. Zootaxa 4146(1):1-66. (Ref. 115213)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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