Hippocampus kelloggi

(Jordan & Snyder, 1901)

Vernacular names
English : Great seahorse
French : Hippocampe de Kellogg

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Syngnathiformes
Family : Syngnathidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
This species reaches up to 28 cm in length. Fairly thick tubular mouth. Small crown-like warts on top of head, small skin extensions on back and flanks. Coloration beige-yellow with light wavy lines on flanks, back and head.

Range and habitat
The species lives in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to Japan and Lord Howe Island. Lives in deep coral reefs, down to at least 120 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species may still be locally common but is over-collected both for Chinese medicine and aquarium trade. It is thought to be in global decline.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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