| Giraffe seahorse | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Syngnathiformes |
| Family: | Syngnathidae |
| Genus: | Hippocampus |
| Species: | H. camelopardalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Hippocampus camelopardalis Bianconi, 1854 | |
| Synonyms [3] | |
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The giraffe seahorse (Hippocampus camelopardalis) is a species of fish of the family Syngnathidae. [4] It is found in coastal waters off of the south and east coasts of Africa, from South Africa to Tanzania, and possibly north to Kenya. [1] It lives in estuarine seagrass beds, algae beds, and shallow reefs to depths of 45 metres (148 ft), where it can grow to lengths of 10 centimetres (3.9 in). [1] [5] It is expected to feed on small crustaceans, similar to other seahorses. This species is ovoviviparous, with males carrying eggs in a brood pouch before giving birth to live young. Individuals are sexually mature at around 6.5 centimetres (2.6 in). [5] Major threats to the species include habitat loss, coastal development and pollution, and overexploitation through bycatch. [1] Some other threats include human use by drying out the seahorse for traditional medicine or as a curio.
The giraffe seahorse has dark spots across its body: one on the top of the coronet or crown of the seahorse's head and some on the dorso-lateral surface of the seahorse. Both genders have a prominent spine above the eye.
