Sea Horse

• Sea Horse, any of a number of small fishes of the same family as the pipefish.

• The name is derived from the resemblance of the head to that of a horse.
• It has long, tubular jaws much like a snout.
• The body is compressed, with an elongated tail, and the integument (external covering) is a series of large, rectangular bony plates, with a series of spines and projections along the lines of juncture.
• These spines, together with the divided, streamerlike fins of some species, give them a strong resemblance to the seaweeds among which they live.
• About 30 species are found in various warm and temperate seas. All keep near the shore, often developing in brackish water.
• Like the pipefishes, the males take charge of the eggs, which are placed in an abdominal pouch and remain there until they hatch.
• The common sea horse of the Atlantic coast of North America is one of the largest species, reaching a length of more than 13 cm (more than 5 in).

Scientific classification:

• Sea horses make up the genus Hippocampus in the family Syngnathidae.
• The common sea horse is classified as Hippocampus hudsonius.