All fish / Syngnathidae

Pacific seahorse

Hippocampus ingens

Also known as giant seahorse, pacific giant seahorse, ingens seahorse, giant pacific seahorse, タイヘイヨウタツ, 太平洋海马, 大海马

This is one of the largest seahorses. Adults reach about 30 cm when fully stretched out and come in many colours, from brown and grey to yellow and red, often with pale speckles. Keepers want it for its size, its calm nature and its unusual way of breeding, with the male carrying the young.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

18 to 24 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Pair or small group of the same species

Diet

Carnivore: frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp and other small crustaceans, fed several times a day

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Pacific, from southern California to Peru, including the Gulf of California and Galápagos

Breeding

The female passes her eggs to the male's brood pouch, and he gives birth to hundreds of fry after about two to three weeks. Captive-bred stock is now available. Rearing the fry is hard, though, because they need large amounts of live food such as rotifers and enriched Artemia.

Good to know

Listed on CITES Appendix II and Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, so buy captive-bred animals with proper paperwork. It needs cool, very clean water and calm tankmates, and it should never be kept with fast or nipping fish that will outcompete it for food.