Family : Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) , subfamily: Hippocampinae
Order : Syngnathiformes  (pipefishes and seahorses)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Spotted seahorse
Fish Name : Hippocampus kuda
Max size : 30.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 1602)
Environment : reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 0 - 68 m
Climate : tropical; 39°N - 28°S
Global Importance : fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=0.6; Fec=20-1000)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Pakistan and India to southern Japan, Hawaii, and the Society Islands (Ref. 30915). This name is used for maybe 10 distinct species in the Indo-Pacific (Ref. 12238, 30915). 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): 17-18; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Description: (based on 80 specimens): Adult height: 7.0-17.0cm. Rings: 11+36 (34-38). Snout length: 2.3 (2.0-2.6) in head length. Dorsal fin rays: 17-18 covering 2+1 rings. Pectoral fin rays: 16 (15-18). Coronet: low-medium, rounded, overhanging at the back, often with a cup-like depression in the top; sometimes with broad flanges; not spiny. Spines: low, rounded bumps only. Other distinctive characters: deep head; deep body; thick snout. Color pattern: often totally black with a grainy texture; alternatively pale yellow or cream with fairly large, dark spots (especially females); may be sandy colored, blending in with the surroundings.
Biology : Inhabit seagrass and marine algae areas of estuaries and seaward reefs; also on steep mud slopes. Found in open water and attached to drifting Sargassum up to 20 km from shore. Adults in pairs (Ref. 48635). Benthic to pelagic (Ref. 58302). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The males carry the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Not shown to be monogamous in the laboratory (Ref. 30915). Very popular aquarium fish. Highly valued species in traditional Chinese medicine (Ref. 30915). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35416)
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 : കുതിര മീന്, കുതിരമീന്, Godamas, Kuthirameen
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses