Spiny Seahorse
Hippocampus histrix
The Spiny Seahorse (Hippocampus histrix) is a slender Indo-Pacific seahorse with a heavily spined body and long snout. It lives camouflaged among seagrass, algae, and coral rubble; reliable sport-angling value is minimal and it is rarely targeted.
Titik pengenalan
- Tall, sharp spines on the head, trunk, and tail give it a bristly outline
- Long tubular snout typical of seahorses, used for suction feeding
- Usually mottled tan, brown, or yellow with a grasping prehensile tail
Habitat
Shallow coastal marine habitats with seagrass beds, macroalgae, coral reefs, and rubble areas; often clings to holdfasts or floating debris in sheltered water.
Nota umpan
Not a practical bait species for anglers. If collected for science/aquaria, live mysids, amphipods, or enriched copepods are the appropriate foods; avoid handling or keeping wild-caught seahorses.
Tingkah laku
A slow, cryptic ambush predator that feeds by suction on tiny crustaceans such as copepods and mysids. It grips structure with its prehensile tail and drifts little, relying on camouflage.
Berhati-hati
Protected or regulated in many places; check local rules and CITES controls before collection or trade. Handle carefully because the body and tail are delicate; do not dry out or expose to air for long.
Nota memancing
Best treated as a bycatch or observation species, not a target. If incidentally hooked, land gently with a wet hand or soft net, keep it in water as much as possible, and release immediately.