Pygmy seahorse

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Pygmy seahorse
Conservation status
Data deficient [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Syngnathiformes Family: Syngnathidae Genus: Hippocampus Species: H. bargibanti
Binomial name
Hippocampus bargibanti Whitley, 1970

The pygmy seahorse, Hippocampus bargibanti, is a seahorse of the family Syngnathidae in the western central Pacific. It is tiny, no larger than 2.4 cm. There are two known color variations: grey with red tubercles (on gorgonian coral Muricella plectana), and yellow with orange tubercles (on gorgonian coral Muricella paraplectana).

This species is known to occur only on gorgonian corals of the genus Muricella, and has evolved to resemble its host. The tubercles and truncated snout of this species match the color and shape of the polyps of the host gorgonian, while its body matches the gorgonian stem. The camouflage is so effective, the original specimens were discovered only after their host gorgonian had been collected and placed in an aquarium.

On the lower portion of the abdomen, males have a brood pouch in which the female lays her eggs. They are fertilised by the male, and incubated until birth.

[edit] References

• "Hippocampus bargibanti". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. December 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.