All fish / Syngnathidae

West African seahorse

Hippocampus algiricus

Also known as west african seahorse, algerian seahorse, african seahorse, seahorse, ม้าน้ำ, kuda laut, タツノオトシゴ, 西非海马

This is a fairly large, stocky seahorse with a deep body, a long snout and a curling prehensile tail. Its colour ranges from yellow and tan to dark brown, often with pale speckles. Keepers value it as a hardy-looking showpiece for a calm species tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

A pair or small group in a species tank

Diet

Carnivore: frozen mysis and enriched brine shrimp, live amphipods and small shrimp, several feeds a day

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Atlantic coast of West Africa, from Senegal to Angola, including Cape Verde and the Gulf of Guinea islands

Breeding

The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch and gives birth to live young after a few weeks. Captive pairs will breed, but rearing the tiny fry means supplying live foods such as copepods and newly hatched Artemia, which is hard work.

Good to know

Every Hippocampus species is listed on CITES Appendix II, and West African export bans and suspensions have applied to this species, so only buy legally documented or captive-bred animals. Keep it away from fast or aggressive feeders and stinging corals or anemones.