Northern Seahorse
About Northern Seahorse
Northern seahorses are from the genus Hippocampus they are the part of Syngnathidae family. Its scientific name is Hippocampus abdominali, they also include pinefishes. There are 34 species of seahorses living in the shallow and temperate waters of the world. Seahorses range from 1 to 13 inches in length when they are fully grown and have an average life of 1 to 7 years depending on the particular species.
Physical features
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Northern sea horses have horse shaped head and a grasping tail, which helps them to grasp their prey. They do not have scales like other fish on their body. The skin is covered with bony plates. They are regarded as bony fish because they have bones and skeletons in their body.
Habitat
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The northern seahorses are found in the Atlantic coast of North America mainly from South Carolina to Cape Cod, but are also found in North Nova Scotia. These fish live in vegetated habitats, such as sea grass beds, where they are well adapted to survival
Breeding
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They start giving eggs during the summer. The female Sea horse deposits their eggs into the brood pouch of the male Sea horse where they are kept until they are hatched till 1 to 2 weeks. Once they are hatched, juvenile seahorses look similar to the adults and they become independent of parental care within seven to eight days.
Color
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Northern seahorses come in a variety of colors including white, black, brown, yellow, green, orange, grey and different shades of reds. They are totally free from of blue pigmentation but still they can be seen in pale blue and purple. Spots are quite typical on them. Their color is not fixed. Seahorses have similar properties of a chameleon. Their color will start changing in intensity depending on stress levels they go through, diet or number of unidentified factors. Their melanophores that are their black pigment cells will increase under stressful conditions and they will appear darker. Hormonal changes can take place quite rapidly. When they are unstressed coloration takes place slowly. If they are bright in colors then that indicates a sense of wellbeing and confidence. Seahorses can change their coloration at any point of time according to their surroundings. Sea horse eyes operate independently like a chameleon's does.
Seahorse as pet
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Seahorses are regarded as one of the fragile marine species, which can be kept in home aquariums. Seahorses require an extra care level. If you are planning to raise seahorses but you are not sure about this idea then make a note that, this particular seahorse would be an excellent choice for your tank. A minimum tank size of 25 gallons is recommended by the expert for this species.
Food
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Seahorses are carnivorous sea animals. They may or may not only eat live food when you first get them to your aquarium. Brine shrimp and rotifers make ideal food, which is recommended. After certain period of time they will start learning to recognize non-living food as nutrition for them. You can also give them flakes and pellets prepared especially for marine carnivores animals like them. Seashores can also be given.
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