Over 40 different species of seahorses live in coastal habitats in the world’s oceans. With horse heads, monkey tails, vacuum mouths, and kangaroo pouches they may seem all mixed up, but they’re actually well-adapted to their habitats.
What They Eat
Seahorses are toothless predators. To eat, they suck in tiny animals like zooplankton and microscopic shrimp.
Where They Live
All seahorses require shallow coastal areas where there are plenty of things to hold on to and enough moving water to carry food to them. They are found in some of the most endangered ecosystems, including mangrove forests, coral reefs and sea grass meadows. The lined seahorses at the Minnesota Zoo are found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Novia Scotia south to Brazil, and through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.
What They Do
Newborn seahorses drift with the ocean currents until they eventually settle in a new place. Adults stay close to home, often wrapping their prehensile tail around a blade of sea grass, a piece of coral, a sea sponge, or an underwater root in a mangrove. Males can spend their entire adult life within a 5-square-foot area and females range only slightly farther.
How They’re Doing
Lined seahorses are listed as “Vulnerable” to extinction. Like all seahorses, they are captured for sale as traditional medicine, souvenirs and for the aquarium trade. Their fragile habitats are often damaged by destructive fishing practices or by shrimp farming. Many governments regulate their trade, but population numbers remain low.
Where in the World
Africa
Asia
Australia
Central America & Caribbean
Europe
North America
Pacific Islands
South America
Habitat
Ocean
Conservation Status
Of 42 seahorse species, ten are doing well, one is near threatened, twelve are vulnerable, two are endangered and the rest are data deficient—demonstrating the need for more research.
Lined Seahorse
Animal Facts
Body Length: .45 – 14 inches, depending on the species
Taxonomic Category
Fish
