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Manyspine seahorse (Hippocampus multispinus) — Syngnathidae

Manyspine seahorse

Hippocampus multispinus
Family: Syngnathidae

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

Length
8 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

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Description

The Manyspine seahorse is a seahorse (Syngnathidae) from shallow seagrass, weed and reef water of the waters around northern Australia. 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 Manyspine seahorse?

The Manyspine seahorse is mainly brown.

Where does the Manyspine seahorse live?

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

How big does the Manyspine seahorse get?

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

Is the Manyspine seahorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Manyspine 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.

More photos

Manyspine seahorse (Hippocampus multispinus) — Syngnathidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Kristin Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Manyspine seahorse (Hippocampus multispinus) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Kristin Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Manyspine seahorse (Hippocampus multispinus) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) dorisreef, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Manyspine seahorse (Hippocampus multispinus) — Syngnathidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Kristin Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Manyspine seahorse sourced
Scientific name
Hippocampus multispinus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Bighead seahorse; Big-head seahorse; Eastern spiny seahorse; Narrow-bellied seahorse; Northern spiny seahorse; Western Australian seahorse; Western spiny 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

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