Pygmy seahorses belong to the genus Hippocampus like other seahorses, but are distinctively different from their larger counterparts, rarely reaching more than one inch in size.
Most of these tiny fish form close relationships with a host plant or animal, including gorgonians or sea fans, colonial hydrazoans, and algae. They use remarkable camouflage to disguise themselves from predators.
The majority of pygmy seahorse species have only been discovered during the last 10 years, and many more are believed to be as yet undescribed.
Unlike other seahorse species, a male pygmy seahorse’s brood pouch is located in the trunk region with a downward-facing opening. Here the female lays a small number of eggs, which the male fertilizes and incubates until birth.
One species is known as Bargibanti’s seahorse, H. bargibanti, and lives on Muricella gorgonians in the western central Pacific Ocean.
There are two known color variations: gray with red tubercles on M. plectana, and yellow with orange tubercles on M. paraplectana.
This seahorse’s tubercles and truncated snout match the color and shape of the polyps of the host gorgonian, while its body resembles the stem.
You can see how well the seahorses are camouflaged against their hosts in this video.
Matthew Oldfield is a freelance photographer based in Bali, Indonesia, specializing in editorial and documentary images from both above and below the waves. He works primarily with charities, NGO’s, and other organizations working to conserve the environment, endangered species, and disappearing cultures.
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