All fish / Syngnathidae

Tiger Tail Seahorse

Hippocampus comes

Also known as tiger tail seahorse, tigertail seahorse, tiger-tail seahorse, comes seahorse, yellow tiger tail seahorse, ม้าน้ำหางเสือ, ม้าน้ำ, kuda laut, タイガーテールシーホース, kuda laut ekor macan, 虎尾海马

A medium sized tropical seahorse that is usually black or dark brown with bright yellow bands around its tail, though some individuals are mostly yellow. Keepers prize it for its striking banding and the calm, curious behaviour typical of seahorses.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

A pair or small group of seahorses only

Diet

Carnivore: frozen mysis shrimp and enriched live crustaceans, fed two or three times a day

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Central Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore

Breeding

The female passes eggs to the male, who carries them in his brood pouch for around two to three weeks before releasing tiny live young. Spawning is fairly common in good conditions, but raising the fry needs a steady supply of live foods such as rotifers and newly hatched brine shrimp and is demanding.

Good to know

All Hippocampus species are listed on CITES Appendix II and H. comes is assessed as Vulnerable, so choose captive bred stock where possible. Keep only with slow, gentle tankmates and avoid stinging corals or fish that compete for food; wild caught specimens often refuse frozen foods and carry diseases.