Hedgehog Seahorse (Hippocampus spinosissimus)
Fish in the family Syngnathidae. Hard care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
A small seahorse with a relatively sturdy, spiny body covered in bony plates and horn-like protrusions along the head and trunk, giving it a "hedgehog-like" appearance. Coloration ranges from brown to yellow to reddish, often with lighter bands or mottling. Adults typically reach 5–7 inches in length.
Diet and feeding
Feed small live or frozen foods such as copepods, amphipods, mysis shrimp, and enriched brine shrimp. Multiple small feedings per day are necessary to meet the seahorse's metabolic needs in captivity.
Difficulty and care for the Hedgehog Seahorse
This species is challenging for most aquarists. Hedgehog seahorses require stable water parameters, frequent small feedings of live or high-quality frozen foods, low-flow environments, and careful tank mates that will not compete for food or harass them. They are not recommended for beginner hobbyists.
Common health issues
Starvation if not fed frequent small meals, bacterial infections, deterioration from water-quality fluctuations, parasitic infestations
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and surrounding areas. Found in seagrass beds and shallow coral reef environments.
Log Hedgehog Seahorse in your reef tank
Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Hedgehog Seahorse alongside everything else in your reef.
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