Sea Horse

Sea Horse, any of a number of small fishes of the same family as the pipefish. The name is derived from the resemblance of the head to that of a horse. It has long, tubular jaws much like a snout. The body is compressed, with an elongated tail, and the integument (external covering) is a series of large, rectangular bony plates, with a series of spines and projections along the lines of juncture. These spines, together with the divided, streamerlike fins of some species, give them a strong resemblance to the seaweeds among which they live.

About 30 species of sea horses are found in various warm and temperate seas. All keep near the shore, often developing in brackish water. The sea horse eats small crustaceans such as shrimp, which it sucks into its toothless tubular mouth. Like the pipefishes, male sea horses take charge of the eggs, which are placed in an abdominal pouch and remain there until they hatch. The common sea horse is often found in bays, lagoons, and reefs. It is one of the largest species, reaching a length of more than 13 cm (more than 5 in).

Scientific classification: Sea horses make up the genus Hippocampus in the family Syngnathidae. The common sea horse is classified as Hippocampus kuda.