Virtual Tour of a Seahorse Recirculation System

Seahorses are found world wide, usually in shallow, coastal tropical and temperate waters. The greatest number of seahorse species is found in the Indo-Pacific, but there are two species, which are found off the Irish coast Hippocampus guttulatus and Hippocampus hippocampus.

Seahorses are poor swimmers and as ambush predators, rely heavily on camouflage to prey on small shrimp. This mastery of camouflage also enables them to evade predation. They lack a caudal (tail) fin and are more suited to manoeuvrability than speed. Their undulating dorsal fin is used for propulsion and the pectoral fins either side of their head are used for stability and steering.

Seahorses are like no other fish species in terms of biology. They have what is termed true sex role-reversal, which means that the female actively chases the male as a mate, and that male then gives birth to the juveniles. A breeding pair remains monogamous (only ever one partner), and every day they initiate a little courtship ritual. When the female has eggs, this ritual culminates in the transfer of eggs to the male. He then incubates the eggs and gives birth to the juveniles after a short gestation period.

Can you see the camouflaged seahorse
in this picture?