West Australian seahorse

Hippocampus subelongatus

Chordata – Osteichthyes

Distribution: 

Seahorses have bony plates protecting their bodies instead of scales. Their long snouts end in tiny, toothless mouths that suck in minute crustaceans, which are swallowed whole. The West Australian seahorse varies in colour but can be distinguished by a series of brown lines across the snout. Growing to about 22 cm in length, they are found in sheltered reefs, sponge gardens and seagrass beds in a limited area of the south west of Western Australia.

West Australian seahorse, beached

Did you know?

Most species of seahorse live in pairs. Female seahorses pass their eggs to the males, who incubate them in a protective pouch. He later ‘gives birth’ to highly developed offspring.

West Australian seahorse in ocean