Hippocampus bargibanti

Pygmy Seahorse

1.4-2.7 cm
1-3 vuotta
Puutteellinen tieto
Tietoa

Pygmy Seahorse

The pygmy seahorse is one of the ocean's most incredible examples of camouflage, measuring less than 2 cm and living exclusively on gorgonian sea fans. Their tiny tubercles perfectly match the polyps of their host coral in both colour and texture. First discovered in 1969 when a scientist examined a gorgonian fan in a laboratory, these remarkable creatures are a holy grail for macro photographers and muck divers.

Koko

1.4-2.7 cm

Paino

Alle 1 gramma

Elinikä

1-3 vuotta

Suojelutila

Puutteellinen tieto

Missä niitä löytää

Parhaat sukelluskohteet

Lembeh Strait, IndonesiaRaja Ampat, IndonesiaWakatobi, IndonesiaAnilao, FilippiinitKomodo, IndonesiaFidžiSalomonsaaret

Sukellusvinkit

Finding pygmy seahorses requires excellent buoyancy, a keen eye, and ideally an experienced guide. Never touch the gorgonian fan—even slight contact can harm both the fan and the seahorse. Limit photography time and avoid continuous strobe use.

Paras kausi

Year-round, visibility best in dry season

Elinympäristö

Exclusively on gorgonian sea fans (Muricella spp.) at 16-40 metres depth in the western Pacific

Ravinto

Tiny crustaceans and plankton captured from water currents
Tiesitkö?

Hauskoja faktoja

1

Males carry and give birth to the young, like all seahorses

2

They were discovered by accident when a sea fan was collected for research

3

At least seven species of pygmy seahorse have now been identified

4

They can change colour slightly to match their host fan

Aloita seikkailusi

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