Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens)
Fish in the family Syngnathidae. Expert care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
Pacific seahorses are medium-sized seahorses with a stocky body and prehensile tail. They display variable coloration including browns, yellows, grays, and reds, often with intricate patterns and leaf-like appendages along the body for camouflage. Males typically develop a brood pouch below the belly for carrying eggs.
Diet and feeding
Feed frozen mysis shrimp or live copepods 2–3 times daily. Seahorses are slow feeders and require frequent small meals. Supplement with enriched frozen foods designed for small-mouthed species.
Difficulty and care for the Pacific Seahorse
Pacific seahorses are extremely challenging in captivity, requiring pristine water quality, slow water flow, live food availability, and very stable conditions. They are prone to disease and stress-related mortality without expert care.
Common health issues
Marine ich, Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder, Hole in the head disease, Bacterial septicaemia
Origin and habitat
Eastern Pacific Ocean, from California to Peru, including the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez). Found in seagrass beds, mangrove areas, and shallow coastal waters.
Log Pacific 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 Pacific Seahorse alongside everything else in your reef.
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