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Bargibant's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) — Syngnathidae

Bargibant's pygmy seahorse

Hippocampus bargibanti
Family: Syngnathidae

The Bargibant's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bargibant's pygmy seahorse is a seahorse (Syngnathidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 2.4 cm and has an upright body armoured in bony rings with a horse-like head, a prehensile tail and a tubular snout. This tiny seahorse lives almost invisibly on Muricella sea fans, with tubercles that perfectly mimic the coral polyps. It swims slowly and clings with its tail to weed, coral or seagrass and sucks in minute crustaceans. The male carries the eggs in a pouch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bargibant's pygmy seahorse?

The Bargibant's pygmy seahorse has an irregular in shape body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Bargibant's pygmy seahorse live?

The Bargibant's pygmy seahorse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bargibant's pygmy seahorse get?

The Bargibant's pygmy seahorse grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Bargibant's pygmy seahorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Bargibant's pygmy seahorse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bargibants dwergzeepaardje sourced
English name
Bargibant's pygmy seahorse sourced
Scientific name
Hippocampus bargibanti
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Bargibant's seahorse; Gorgonian seahorse; Pygmy seahorse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.4 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hippocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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