Home · Syngnathidae · Halfspined seahorse
Halfspined seahorse (Hippocampus semispinosus) — Syngnathidae

Halfspined seahorse

Hippocampus semispinosus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Halfspined seahorse (Hippocampus semispinosus) is a fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Want the complete picture on the Halfspined seahorse?

Description

The Halfspined seahorse is a seahorse (Syngnathidae) from shallow seagrass, weed and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an upright, armoured body with a horse-like head, a tubular snout and a prehensile tail with which it holds onto seagrass and coral. As a slow dweller it sucks up minute crustaceans. Remarkably the male broods the eggs in a pouch on the belly. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Halfspined seahorse?

The Halfspined seahorse is mainly brown.

Where does the Halfspined seahorse live?

The Halfspined seahorse is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Halfspined seahorse get?

The Halfspined seahorse grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Halfspined seahorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Halfspined seahorse is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Want the complete picture on the Halfspined seahorse?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Halfspined seahorse is one of 12,519 species in the app.

All data

Identification

English name
Halfspined seahorse sourced
Scientific name
Hippocampus semispinosus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Half-spined seahorse; Hedgehog seahorse; Halfspine seahorse; Queensland seahorse; Seahorse; Winged seahorse

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
8
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Beak-shaped

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hippocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

Want the complete picture on the Halfspined seahorse?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Halfspined seahorse is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Is this the Halfspined seahorse?