The Jayakar`s Seahorse, scientifically known as Hippocampus jayakari, is a captivating marine fish species with a distinctive appearance. This seahorse species is recognized for its unique morphology and captivating behavior, making it a subject of great interest for both marine biologists and enthusiasts alike.
Description & Characteristics
Hippocampus jayakari, also known as the Jayakar`s Seahorse, is a relatively small seahorse species, reaching a maximum size of 14.0 cm. It is characterized by a slender, elongated body shape with a distinct head, resembling a horse. Its most notable feature is its prehensile tail, which allows it to grasp onto seaweed and coral for stability. The Jayakar`s Seahorse exhibits a diverse range of colors, often blending seamlessly with its surroundings for camouflage purposes.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Jayakar`s Seahorse, Hippocampus jayakari, is typically found in shallow coastal waters, inhabiting seagrass meadows and eelgrass meadows. This species is primarily associated with the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones of the oceans. Its depth range extends from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth. This makes the Jayakar`s Seahorse a characteristic inhabitant of the neritic zone, the marine environment found above the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The species Hippocampus jayakari belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Syngnathiformes, and Family: Syngnathidae. This classification places it within the same family as other pipefish and seahorses, all of which share a unique elongated body shape and a specialized mouth adapted for suction feeding.
Feeding
The Jayakar`s Seahorse, Hippocampus jayakari, is a carnivorous species, primarily feeding on small invertebrates. Its diet consists of brine shrimp nauplii, brine shrimps, cyclops, daphnia salina, frozen food (large sort), krill, mysid shrimp, and zooplankton. This diverse feeding behavior makes it an integral part of the marine food web.
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