Lined Seahorse

(hippocampus erectus)

Species Status
As the most common species of seahorse in the Indian River Lagoon, it is still considered vulnerable due to habitat loss and over harvesting. It is believed that the population has declined around 30% in just the past decade. Due to their decline in the wild, they have become a popular species to aquaculture. Ours were raised locally in Fort Pierce, FL.

Geographical Range
Their geographical range spans from southeastern Canada all the way to Brazil, and throughout the Caribbean and Gulf.

Habitat
They are found in slow moving, shallow coastal waters, usually around vegetation that they can use as camouflage and something to hold onto. Since they are poor swimmers, they have a specialized prehensile tail that allows them to hold onto things in their environment such as seagrass.

Diet
Their diet consists mostly of small crustaceans such as shrimp.

Special Traits
Their eyes move independently like a chameleon, which helps them hunt and avoid predators.

Reproduction and Family Life
Their most interesting traits have to do with reproduction. Each pair is monogamous and mates for life. The males receive the females eggs in their pouch, where they incubate for around 21 days. Once they hatch, the male gives birth to hundreds of tiny seahorses that drift away with the currents to populate new habitats.

ELC Connection
Our summer camps often come across this species while seining with nets in the lagoon. They are always returned unharmed.