Quick answer
The seahorse is a small marine fish with a horse-like head, an upright posture, and a curling, prehensile tail that grips seagrass and coral. It is one of the only animals in which the male becomes pregnant, carrying the eggs in a pouch until they hatch. Seahorses are weak swimmers that feed by ambush, and many of the roughly 46 species are threatened.
Key takeaway
The seahorse is a small marine fish with a horse-like head, an upright posture, and a curling, prehensile tail that grips seagrass and coral. It is one of the only animals in which the male becomes pregnant, carrying the eggs in a pouch until they hatch. Seahorses are weak swimmers that feed by ambush, and many of the roughly 46 species are threatened.
Seahorse overview
Seahorse (Hippocampus) is a fish listed here as Vulnerable. Typical weight about 0.01 kg; lifespan around 1–5 years depending on species.
Seahorse ecology
Diet: Carnivore (tiny crustaceans). Habitat: Seagrass beds, reefs, and estuaries. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Seahorses and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild seahorses are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Vulnerable. See the full Seahorse profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Pregnant fathers
Seahorses are famous for male pregnancy. The female deposits her eggs into a special brood pouch on the male's belly, where he fertilizes and carries them, supplying oxygen and nutrients, until he gives birth to dozens or even hundreds of tiny, fully formed young.
An unusual fish
Despite appearances, seahorses are true fish. They swim upright, propelled by a small, rapidly beating dorsal fin, and steer with tiny fins behind the eyes. With no scales, their bodies are protected by bony plates under the skin, and a prehensile tail lets them anchor to seagrass and coral against the current.
Sources
Seahorse FAQs
What are key facts about seahorses?
The seahorse is a small marine fish with a horse-like head, an upright posture, and a curling, prehensile tail that grips seagrass and coral. It is one of the only animals in which the male becomes pregnant, carrying the eggs in a pouch until they hatch. Seahorses are weak swimmers that feed by ambush, and many of the roughly 46 species are threatened.
What is the scientific name of the seahorse?
Hippocampus — used in research and conservation listings for seahorses.
What do seahorses eat?
Seahorses eat tiny crustaceans, with seasonal and regional variation in Seagrass beds, reefs, and estuaries.
Where do seahorses live?
They are associated with Seagrass beds, reefs, and estuaries. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of seahorses?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.