All fish / Syngnathidae

Big-head seahorse

Hippocampus grandiceps

Also known as bighead seahorse, big head seahorse, narrow-bellied seahorse, gulf seahorse, 大头海马

A small seahorse with a large head relative to its body, often brown, tan or yellowish with pale speckles and short skin filaments. It is described from Gulf of Mexico seagrass beds and many scientists now treat it as a form of the dwarf or lined seahorse group. Specialist keepers value it as a rare, calm species for dedicated seahorse tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °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, enriched brine shrimp, live amphipods and copepods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Northern Gulf of Mexico, Florida panhandle (Apalachicola area)

Breeding

Like all seahorses, the female transfers eggs to the male's brood pouch and he gives birth to live young after a few weeks. Fry need live copepods or newly hatched brine shrimp many times a day, so rearing is demanding.

Good to know

All Hippocampus species are listed on CITES Appendix II, so trade requires permits; the validity of this species is disputed and it may be sold under other seahorse names. Keep only with slow, peaceful tankmates and avoid strong currents or stinging corals.