The Spotted Seahorse, Estuary Seahorse – Hippocampus kuda is a captivating marine species known for its distinctive appearance and unique characteristics. This species, also scientifically recognized as Hippocampus kuda, belongs to the family Syngnathidae, which encompasses seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons.
Description & Characteristics
The Spotted Seahorse, Estuary Seahorse – Hippocampus kuda is a captivating marine creature. This species can reach a maximum size of 30.0 cm. Their bodies are characterized by a distinctive, horse-like head, a long, slender snout, and a prehensile tail that allows them to grasp onto seaweeds and corals. The Hippocampus kuda derives its common name from its spotted body, featuring a vibrant orange or yellow base color adorned with numerous brown spots that provide excellent camouflage within their habitat.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Spotted Seahorse, Estuary Seahorse – Hippocampus kuda is a species with a wide geographical distribution, primarily inhabiting the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. This species is typically found in shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and seagrass meadows, often residing in depths ranging from 0.0 to 68.0 meters. This broad depth range underscores the adaptability of Hippocampus kuda to a variety of marine environments, including both inshore and offshore habitats.
Taxonomy
The species Hippocampus kuda belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Syngnathiformes, and Family: Syngnathidae. This classification reflects its relationship to other bony fishes, its distinctive elongated bodies, and its membership within the family of seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons.
Feeding
The Spotted Seahorse, Estuary Seahorse – Hippocampus kuda is a specialist feeder, relying on a diet of small crustaceans, primarily brine shrimps, krill, and mysid shrimps. This dietary focus on live food reflects their adaptation to capturing prey in their intricate habitats.
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