This lined seahorse, sometimes known as a northern seahorse, has small white spots and fine lines than emphasize its graceful appearance. The left pectoral fin is clearly visible, used for maneuvering and stability. Its small snout limits its diet to tiny crustaceans (shrimps, crabs, and crayfish) and other small invertebrates. Though this seahorse is brown in color, all seahorses are capable of changing colors in minutes.
Seahorses are usually found in water less than 65 feet deep, but have been trawled from depths approaching 500 feet. Some may be found among seagrasses or eelgrasses, or among mangrove forests, corals, or on sea fan gorgonians. In one case, H. bargibanti is known to be exclusive to only two particular species of sea fans.
Identification: Hippocampus erectus
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