Pygmy sea horse

Pontohi pygmy seahorses have only recently been described. They were discovered by an Indonesian dive guide in Sulawesi. Rather than living on sea fans like other species of pygmy seahorse, these minute fish prefer mixed substrates of hydroids and encrusting algae, often in overhangs on current swept rocks. Bunaken Marine Park is a very popular dive destination, famous for its beautiful coral reefs, marine biodiversity and vertical walls.

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Pygmy sea horse encompasses several species of tiny seahorses belonging to the family of Syngnathidae; characterizing by fish with fused jaws sucking food to tubular mouths.

They are one of the smallest seahorses in the world, typically measuring less than 2 cm of height.

Discovery

The first species of pygmy sea horses discovered was Hippocampus bargibanti; then there were another 6 species discovered after 2000. Those seahorses were living exclusively on fan corals, matching their color an appearance. The camouflage is so effective, that they have been spotted only in the labolatory once one of gorgonias has been taken for examination in 1969, and named after the scientist who discovered them (Georges Bargibant).

Other pygmy sea horses, discovered much later live on soft corals or just among sea grass and algae.

The pygmy sea horses have distinctive markers from the regular sea horses. Apart of their size (an adult can be as small as 13 mm); the pygmy sea horses have only one hill opening on the back of the head. Males carry their young offspring in a pouch on their trunk.

Indonesian species:

Social connection:

Pygmy sea horse

Discovery