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A Quick ID Guide for the Hobby's Most Common Seahorses By Christopher Burns |
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Due to the common mislabeling of seahorses in fish stores, species can easily be mixed up or identified incorrectly. The following is a meant to provide a brief and simple identification guide, and is by no means meant to be a comprehensive physiognomic essay. | |||
| Species/Common Name Approx. Size |
Photo Click to view larger picture |
Distinguishing Marks | Similar Species |
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Hippocampus abdominalis Pot-Bellied Seahorse 3.25" - 13" (17" specimens have been reported) |
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Commonly known as the Pot-Bellied Seahorse, this is the largest species currently known, reaching up to 15" at adulthood. Their markings have been equated to those of a giraffe, and the pronounced chest and belly are dead giveaways. There is no other species that resembles the Pot. | NONE |
| Hippocampus barbouri Barbour's Seahorse 3" - 5.75" |
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Spines and a striped snout set this horse apart. They are typically yellow. |
Hippocampus histrix, which has much longer spines and a longer snout, but no stripes on the snout.
Hippocampus kuda, which lacks the snout striping and spines. Hippocampus spinosissimus, which tends to have slightly longer spines and lacks the stripes on the snout. |
| Hippocampus comes Tiger-Tail Seahorse 4.25" - 5.75" |
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Commonly known as the Tiger-Tail seahorse, because the tail is striped with yellow (usually). The body is sleek and slender, and the head has similar markings to H. kudaH. erectus. The chest and ventral side of the tail is usually yellow as well. Also note the radial markings around the eye. |
Hippocampus erectus, which has a deeper body and lacks the striping on the tail. Shares facial markings.
Hippocampus kuda shares the same facial markings but lacks the striping on the tail. |
| Hippocampus erectus Lined Seahorse 2.25" - 7.25" |
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Can be a wide variety of colors, but as this horse is commonly called the Lined Seahorse, it will generally have pearly white lines and spots along the body and face. Body is dorso-ventrally deep making the chest appear to stick out quite far. |
Hippocampus barbouri, which is more spiny and has lacks the pearly white markings.
Hippocampus kuda, which also has dots that are typically pearly white, but is more dorso-ventrally compressed. Hippocampus reidi, which has a similar body type, but lacks the pearly white dots and stripes. |
| Hippocampus fuscus Sea Pony 3" - 4.75" |
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Commonly known as the Sea-Pony because of its size, typically 4.5" at adult length. Markings vary but the coronet is distinct if not prominent. Usually has dark marbled markings on body and head. |
Hippocampus erectus, which is a much larger horse, but shares the marbled markings, although they are whitish instead of dark.
Hippocampus kuda, which is a much larger horse, with similar markings although they are whitish instead of dark. Hippocampus reidi, which is a much larger horse, and lacks the marbled markings. |
| Hippocampus kuda Spotted Seahorse 2.75" - 6.75" |
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This is a long slender horse with markings similar to many other horses. Their bodies are not as dorso-ventrally deep as that of H. erectus, and the coronet is more flattened backward and low. |
Hippocampus erectus, which has dots that are typically pearly white and is more slender.
Hippocampus reidi, which has a similar body type, but lacks the black dots. |
| Hippocampus reidi Brazillian Seahorse 3.75" - 7" |
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Generally vibrantly colored in orange or yellow. Black dots on the face and body are typically telltale signs. The snout is typically of a larger diameter than other horse species. |
Hippocampus erectus, which has a similar body type, but lacks the black dots. Although capable of demonstrating unusual and vibrant colors, this species is not typically seen in orange or yellow.
Hippocampus kuda, which has dots that are typically pearly white and is more slender. Although capable of demonstrating unusual and vibrant colors, this species is not typically seen in orange or yellow. |
| Hippocampus zosterae Dwarf Seahorse 0.75" - 1" |
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Commonly known as the Dwarf Seahorse, these guys are about 1" long full grown. Their coloration is widely varied as are their markings. There are no other seahorse species commonly available to the hobbyist of this size. |
H. barbiganti, the Pygmy Seahorse, although dissimilar in appearance, often lends its common name to H. zosterae.
H. lichtensteinii, Lichtenstein's Seahorse is almost never seen in the hobby, and is a bit larger than H. zosterae. |
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