Clearwater Marine Aquarium is full of all sorts of exciting animals! From a lined seahorse to otters, there are a number of different creatures that are worth learning about.
Where to See
Lined Seahorse
Lined Seahorse
(Hippocampus, erectus)
- AVERAGE SIZE
- 2.5-7.5″ long
- LIFESPAN
- 33-38 months
- HABITAT
- Lives 2-230 feet deep near seagrass. mangroves, sponges, corals, and even floating sargassum.
- DIET
- The northern seahorse eats small crustaceans, amphipods, and gastropods, using its elongated snouts
- Range
- Found from Cape Cod down through the Gulf of Mexico and South to the Atlantic coast of South America to Uruguay
Conservation Efforts:
The northern seahorse is a vulnerable species with a population thought to be declining. This species is targeted by the aquarium fishery trade and the habitats they are found in face many threats. Coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves face threats such as land development, warming ocean temperatures, and pollution.
How You Can Help:
To protect the northern seahorse and their natural habitats, keep our waterways clean, pick up trash when visiting the beach, and be mindful of pesticide use that can harm our waterways.