Atlantic Seahorse Hippocampus reidi

The seahorse and pipefish belong to the family Syngnathidae, or tube-mouthed fish. The seahorses themselves have elongated bodies and are encased in hard bony plates. They use their modified lower half or ‘tail’ to hitch onto and curl around objects. The males infamously carry and ‘give birth’ to the young, rearing the eggs in the ventral brood area or pouch. Hippocampus actually means ‘horse caterpillar’, and comprises the 35 different species. This particular species is often called the Brazilian Seahorse but the species can be found from Brazil up to the Carolinas. Seahorses can camouflage their bodies by actually growing extensions of their skin and take on microorganisms and algae. They often change their colouration to blend into scenery or express emotion.