Family : Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) , subfamily: Hippocampinae
Order : Syngnathiformes (pipefishes and seahorses)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Longnose seahorse
Fish Name : Hippocampus trimaculatus
Max size : 22.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 48635)
Environment : reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range - 100 m
Climate : tropical
Global Importance : aquaculture: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=0.5-1)
Distribution : Indo-Pacific: southern India to Japan, Australia and Tahiti. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-22; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Description: (based on 54 specimens): Adult height: 8.0-15.0cm. Rings: 11+40-41 (38-43). Snout length: 2.2 (1.9-2.4) in head length. Dorsal fin rays: 20 (18-22) covering 2+1 rings. Pectoral fin rays: 17-18 (16-19). Coronet: very low, in line with arch of neck, visible as five tiny points. Spines: low and small to slightly raised. Other distinctive characters: very sharp hook-like cheek and eye spines; quite flat in appearance; narrow head; no nose spine.Color pattern: golden orange, sandy colored or totally black; may have large dark spots on the dorsolateral surface of the first, fourth and seventh trunk ring (less visible in dark specimens, and more common in males than females); some specimens ‘zebra striped’ in brown and white.
Biology : Inhabits gravel or sand bottoms around shallow reefs (Ref. 559); muddy estuaries and near mangroves, tolerating brackish waters (Ref. 48635). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205)
Threatened : Dangerous:
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Lourie, S.A., A.C.J. Vincent and H.J. Hall. 1999. (Ref. 30915)
India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses
