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Pygmy Seahorse

Hippocampus denise

Description:

Taken during dive in Raja Ampat. Hippocampus denise is tiny, growing only to a total length of 1.5 cm (5/8 inch). They are usually solitary, though they may be found in small groups on their host gorgonians, colonies of the genera Acanthogorgra and Annella, in depths of up to 70m[1].

Habitat:

They can be found off southern Japan, Indonesia, northern Australia and New Caledonia[1]. Its natural habitat is coral reefs. The pygmy seahorse is undoubtedly one of the most well camouflaged species in the oceans, being very difficult to spot amongst the gorgonian coral it lives in. The camouflage is so effective that the species wasn't actually discovered until its host gorgonian was being examined in a lab.

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4 Comments

ChrisP
ChrisP 10 years ago

Amazing adaption to host

EllaSagarin
EllaSagarin 12 years ago

wow, that is amazing! it blends in really well!!

Christiane
Christiane 12 years ago

Beautiful... And welcome to Project Noah!

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 12 years ago

How one would spot that is beyond me!

aldo
Spotted by
aldo

Indonesia

Spotted on Feb 28, 2010
Submitted on Aug 22, 2011

Spotted for Mission

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