Narrow-bellied seahorse
| Narrow-bellied seahorse | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Syngnathiformes |
| Family: | Syngnathidae |
| Genus: | Hippocampus |
| Species: | H. angustus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hippocampus angustus Günther, 1870 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Hippocampus angustus, commonly known as the narrow-bellied seahorse, western Australian seahorse, or western spiny seahorse, is a species of marine fish of the family Syngnathidae. It is found in waters off of Australia, from Perth to Hervey Bay, and the southern portion of Papua New Guinea in the Torres Strait.[1][2] It lives over soft-bottom substrates, adjacent to coral reefs, and on soft corals at depths of 3–63 metres (9.8–206.7 ft).[1] It is expected to feed on small crustaceans, similar to other seahorses. This species is ovoviviparous, with males carrying eggs in a brood pouch before giving birth to live young.[1][2]
Identification
Individuals of this species are often around 16 centimetres (6.3 in) long, but can grow to lengths of 22 centimetres (8.7 in). They can be identified by their slender body, long snout, well developed spines and high coronet. Colouration is generally grey to brownish, with white, yellow, orange or brown scribbly, net-like markings on the head and body. The snout has 5-6 distinctive dark irregular stripes.[3][2]
References
- 1 2 3 Pollom, R. 2017. Hippocampus angustus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T107261486A54907188. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T107261486A54907188.en. Downloaded on 16 March 2018.
- 1 2 3 Lourie, S.A., A.C.J. Vincent and H.J. Hall, 1999. Seahorses: an identification guide to the world's species and their conservation. Project Seahorse, London. p.214
- ↑ Dianne J. Bray & Vanessa J. Thompson, Hippocampus angustus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 17 Mar 2018, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1534
Further reading