THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

126 A Docent Field Guide to the Species of the Steinhart Aquarium
Mortality/Longevity: This species is being
harvested at an alarming rate for use in
traditional Chinese medicine, as it is highly
valued.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable, CITES II.
Trade is regulated by CITES with a minimum
size of 10 cm allowed for this species in
commerce.
Remarks: The seahorse has no caudal or
ventral fins. Rapid oscillation of small
dorsal fin propels the animal forward in
the characteristic upright position. Small
pectorals are used for steering. Defense
is achieved by camouflage, stillness, and
maneuverability, not by speed.
Longsnout Seahorse
Hippocampus reidi (Syngnathidae)
Pipefishes, Seahorses, and Seadragons
Distribution: Western Atlantic Ocean, North
Carolina to Brazil.
Habitat: Usually or near coral reefs, in
association with gorgonian corals, seagrass
beds, mangroves, and Sargassum.
Appearance: Males often bright orange and
females yellow; both may be covered in brown
or white spots. Max. size:
Diet: Zooplankton.
Reproduction and Development: Like other
species in their family, pairs generally mate for
life. Highly ritualistic courtship may include
dramatic color changes to pink or white and
intricate dances leading up to the female’s
depositing up to 1,000 eggs in the male’s brood
pouch.
Conservation Status: Collected as aquarium
fishes, folk medicine, and curiosities. Also
taken a bycatch in shrimp trawl fisheries.
Degradation of seagrass habitats, especially
along the U.S. may be reducing their numbers
locally. The entire genus Hippocampus is listed
in Appendix II of CITES in 2002.
Leafy Seadragon
Phycodurus eques (Syngnathidae)
Pipefishes, Seahorses, and Seadragons
Distribution: Endemic to southern Australia.
Habitat: Among brown algae (kelp) in shallow,
temperate water, associated with seagrass beds
and rocky reefs.
Description: Yellow-brown to green with stripes
around the body. Single dorsal fin; paired
pectoral fins along sides of neck. Body laterally
flattened, covered with armor-like plates instead
of scales and with rows of long, sharp spines
along the sides. Long, tubular snout. Most
distinguishing feature is the elaborate leaf-like
appendages of skin that hang off the head, body
and tail. Up to 45 cm, 120 g.
Diet: Mysid shrimp, zooplankton and fish
larvae.
Reproduction and Development: Like the
seahorse, the male seadragon carries the eggs.
He develops about 120 shallow depressions in a
spongy section of the ventral surface of his tail.
The female deposits her eggs in the depressions
where they are fertilized and incubated until
they hatch, in about 4 weeks. The hatching is
staggered to assist with dispersal and avoid
competition for food among the young. The
hatchlings are vulnerable to predation by fish,
crustaceans and anemones, but they are fastgrowing,
reaching a length of 20 cm in one
year. It is speculated that while one female will
approach only one male for mating, more than
one female may use the egg storage capacity
of a single male.
Conservation Status: IUCN: Listed as near
threatened. Major threats of habitat loss,
pollution, and over-collection are at least
slightly mitigated by the number of offspring
produced. Today, seadragons are protected
under Australian law, and their export, even
for educational exhibits in aquaria, is strictly
regulated.
Remarks: With its extraordinary leaflike
appendages the leafy seadragon is one of
the best camouflaged animals on the planet.
Almost indistinguishable from the surrounding
kelp, it is invisible to predator and prey alike.
Even its tubular snout looks like a kelp stem.
It can change color due to age, habitat, diet or
stress.
Unlike its seahorse relative that swims
vertically, the seadragon swims horizontally. It
is a very slow swimmer, as might be expected
from its tiny fins, but is protected not only by
its camouflage but by sharp spines that deter
predators.
The leafy seadragon has the honor of being the
official emblem of Australia.