Beachcombers Field Guide - Department Of Fisheries Western ...

West Australian seahorse
(Hippocampus subelongatus)
Chordata – Osteichthyes
Seahorses have bony
plates protecting their bodies
instead of scales. Their long snouts
end in tiny, toothless mouths that suck in
minute crustaceans, which are swallowed
whole. The West Australian seahorse
varies in colour but can be distinguished
by a series of brown lines across the
snout. Growing to about 22 cm in length,
they are found in sheltered
reefs, sponge
gardens and
seagrass
beds in a
limited
area of
the south
west of
Western
Australia.
Photo: Sandy Clarke
Did you know?
Most species of seahorse live
in pairs. Female seahorses pass
their eggs to the males, who
incubate them in a protective
pouch. He later ‘gives birth’ to
highly developed offspring.