Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti)
Fish in the family Syngnathidae. Expert care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
Pygmy seahorses are among the smallest seahorse species, reaching only about 0.8 inches in length. They have a stocky body with a curled prehensile tail, and their coloration varies from yellow to orange with dark tubercles (bumps) that help them blend with coral. Their diminutive size and bumpy texture make them well-camouflaged on soft corals, particularly Muricella and Annella species.
Diet and feeding
Pygmy seahorses feed on tiny crustaceans in the wild. In captivity, they require a constant supply of copepods, amphipods, and small live mysid shrimp. Feeding should occur 2-3 times daily with small portions.
Difficulty and care for the Pygmy Seahorse
Advanced - Requires experienced care due to sensitive nature specific habitat needs or complex dietary requirements. Best for expert aquarists.
Common health issues
Starvation, inability to compete for food, parasitic infection, bacterial infection
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region, primarily found in Indonesia, particularly around coral reefs in the Coral Triangle. Distributed from Indonesia to the Philippines.
Log Pygmy 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 Pygmy Seahorse alongside everything else in your reef.
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