Fun & Interesting Seahorse Facts | SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Q: What are baby seahorses called?

Baby seahorses are called fry. When they are born, they are tiny, independent, and fully formed versions of their parents. Seahorse fry must fend for themselves from the moment they hatch.

Q: How long do seahorses live?

Seahorses typically live for 1 to 5 years. The lifespan of a seahorse can vary depending on the species and environmental conditions. In captivity, with optimal care, some seahorses can live slightly longer.

Go back to blog

Friday 26^th July 2024
Seahorses

seahorse floating

Dive into the enchanting realm of seahorses, one of the ocean's most fascinating and unique creatures. At SEA LIFE Sydney, we're thrilled to introduce you to these captivating little beings. With their horse-like heads and prehensile tails, seahorses are truly a marvel of the marine world.

Here at SEA LIFE Sydney, we’re dedicated to showcasing the weird, wonderful, and sometimes magical lives of seahorses. Whether you’re a marine enthusiast or a curious explorer, get ready to be amazed by the charm and mystery of these extraordinary sea dwellers!

Seahorses are one of the ocean’s most magical and mysterious creatures. With their horse-like heads and delicate, upright bodies, they’re a true testament to the wonders of nature. But what makes them so special?

Fun Fab Facts!

Masters of Disguise

Seahorses can change colour to blend perfectly with their surroundings, making them the ultimate underwater chameleons!

Majestic Movers

Unlike most fish, seahorses swim upright, relying on tiny, rapid fin movements. They’re not the fastest, but they sure are graceful!

Diet of Kings

Using their long snouts, seahorses suck up plankton and small crustaceans. They eat up to 50 times a day due to their lack of stomachs!

Skinny Legends

Without stomachs or teeth, seahorses must constantly eat, sucking up food through their small snouts like a vacuum.

Male Pregnancy

In the seahorse world, males carry the babies! The female deposits her eggs into the male’s brood pouch, and he gives birth to fully formed baby seahorses, called fry.

Fathers of the Year

Male seahorses carry and fertilise eggs in a specialised brood pouch until the babies are ready to be born.

Dancing Shoes

Many seahorse species are monogamous, forming pair bonds that last through the breeding season. They often engage in bonding rituals like synchronised swimming.

Monkey Tails

Seahorses have prehensile tails that allow them to grasp onto seagrass and corals to stay anchored in currents.

Lil Swimmers

Seahorses aren’t strong swimmers and can easily be caught in currents. They use their dorsal fins to propel themselves and pectoral fins to steer.

Eyes Like a Chameleon

Seahorses can move their eyes independently, allowing them to look forwards and backwards simultaneously.

Mini Marvels

Seahorses range in size from the tiny pygmy seahorse, less than an inch tall, to larger species like the big-belly seahorse, which can grow up to a foot long.

Camouflage Experts

Besides changing colour, some seahorses can grow skin filaments to blend in with seaweed and coral.

Sneaky Survivors

Found in shallow coastal waters worldwide, seahorses prefer hiding places like seagrass beds, coral reefs, and mangroves.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Their prehensile tails can also defend against predators by lashing out.

Sensitive Souls

Seahorses are highly sensitive to environmental changes, making them important indicators of coastal ecosystem health.

Unique Mouth Breathers

Seahorses breathe through small, efficient gills, allowing them to thrive in various water conditions.

Seahorses at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

White’s Seahorses

White's Seahorse, or the Sydney Seahorse (Hippocampus whitei), is an endangered species native to the coastal waters of eastern Australia, particularly around Sydney Harbour. These seahorses are characterised by their pale, often white bodies, which allow them to blend into seagrass beds, sponges, and soft corals.

Other Species of Seahorses and Relatives

Pot-bellied Seahorses

Also known as the Big Belly Seahorse, this species of seahorse are known for their very big 'bellies'. Pot-bellied seahorse can be found in the central to southern coast of New South Wales.

Leafy Seadragon

With their leaf-like appendages, these creatures look like they swam straight out of a magical underwater forest. They’re masters of disguise, blending seamlessly into their seaweed surroundings.

Weedy Seadragon

Sporting a more streamlined look than their leafy cousins, weedy seadragons have fronds that look like seaweed, helping them hide from predators. They’re elegant and mesmerising to watch as they glide through the water.

Pygmy Seahorse

Don’t let their size fool you! These tiny seahorses, less than an inch tall, have some of the best camouflage skills in the animal kingdom. They cling to coral reefs and are nearly impossible to spot!

Seahorse Behaviour and Lifecycle

A Day in the Life of a Seahorse!

Seahorses lead incredibly fascinating lives, filled with unique behaviours and a distinctive life cycle. Here’s a peek into their daily activities and their remarkable journey from birth to adulthood.

Daily Activities

Resting and Hiding

Seahorses often anchor themselves to seaweed or coral using their tails. This helps them rest and hide from predators, conserving their energy for feeding and mating.

Territorial Behaviour

Male seahorses can be quite territorial, especially during the breeding season. They may engage in displays to ward off other males from their chosen area.

Reproduction

Egg Transfer

During mating, the female seahorse transfers her eggs into the male’s brood pouch through an ovipositor. The male fertilises the eggs internally and provides a safe environment for the embryos to develop.

Brood Pouch Care

The male’s brood pouch is a specialised organ that regulates the salinity of the fluid inside, gradually matching it to the surrounding seawater. This helps the baby seahorses acclimate to the ocean environment when they are born.

Lifecycle Stages

Fry Survival

Newly born seahorses, called fry, face high mortality rates due to predation and environmental factors. However, those that survive grow rapidly and start to exhibit adult behaviours within weeks.

Growth and Development

As they mature, juvenile seahorses undergo several moults, shedding their outer skin as they grow. This process continues until they reach their full adult size.

A world first conservation project to help an endangered species

To help declining populations of the White's Seahorse recover, our team here at SEA LIFE Sydney undertook a breeding program. Wild seahorses from Clifton Gardens were moved to the aquarium where they gave birth to hundreds of babies. These baby seahorses grew healthy and strong and in May 2020 they were released onto the Clifton Gardens swimming net and nearby seahorse hotels. The project has continued for its fifth year in 2024, where we are continuing our efforts to help the endangered White's Seahorse.

To learn more and watch video content about the Sydney Seahorse Breeding Project, click the button below.

Learn More

Supporting Seahorse Conservation

Adopt a Seahorse

Become a seahorse guardian by adopting one of these incredible creatures. Your support helps fund our conservation and breeding programs, ensuring a brighter future for seahorses.

Adopt a Seahorse

Donate

Every contribution counts! Make a donation to support our ongoing efforts to protect and conserve marine life.

Donate Now

Stay Connected

Keep up with the latest news, events, and conservation updates by following SEA LIFE Sydney on social media. Share your experiences and join our community of ocean lovers.

Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive offers, updates on new exhibits, and behind-the-scenes stories delivered straight to your inbox.

By visiting SEA LIFE Sydney, you’re not only experiencing the wonder of the underwater world but also contributing to important conservation efforts. Together, we can make a difference for seahorses and all marine life.

Baby seahorses are called fry. When they are born, they are tiny, independent, and fully formed versions of their parents. Seahorse fry must fend for themselves from the moment they hatch.

Seahorses typically live for 1 to 5 years. The lifespan of a seahorse can vary depending on the species and environmental conditions. In captivity, with optimal care, some seahorses can live slightly longer.

Seahorses primarily eat small crustaceans like brine shrimp and plankton. They use their long snouts to suck up food, feeding almost constantly due to their lack of stomachs. A single seahorse can consume thousands of tiny organisms each day.

Seahorses are found in shallow coastal waters worldwide, from tropical to temperate zones. They thrive in habitats with plenty of hiding places, such as seagrass beds, coral reefs, and mangroves. In Australia, White’s Seahorses are commonly found around Sydney Harbour.

Seahorse reproduction is unique because the males carry the eggs. During mating, the female transfers her eggs to the male's brood pouch, where he fertilises them and carries them until they hatch. This process can take anywhere from two weeks to a month, depending on the species.

Many seahorse species are considered vulnerable or endangered due to habitat destruction, pollution, and overfishing. Conservation programs, like those at SEA LIFE Sydney, are crucial for protecting and restoring seahorse populations.

Seahorses play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. As both predators and prey, they help control the populations of small crustaceans and serve as food for larger marine animals. Their presence indicates a healthy marine environment.

Yes, some seahorses can change colour to blend with their surroundings. This ability helps them avoid predators and communicate with other seahorses, especially during courtship rituals.