All fish / Syngnathidae

Jayakar's seahorse

Hippocampus jayakari

Also known as jayakar's seahorse, jayakar seahorse, jayakari seahorse, red sea seahorse, arabian seahorse, 杰氏海马

Jayakar's seahorse is a medium to large seahorse with a long snout, a fairly smooth body and short spines. It is usually brown, tan or yellowish with darker mottling and fine pale spots. Keepers value it as an unusual Red Sea and Arabian species with plenty of character, though it is seldom seen in the trade.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

14 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Pair or small group in a species tank

Diet

Carnivore: frozen mysis shrimp, live brine shrimp and small crustaceans, fed several times daily

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and western Indian Ocean coasts

Breeding

As in other seahorses, the female puts her eggs into the male's brood pouch, and he carries them until he releases fully formed young. Getting a pair to spawn is not difficult, but raising the fry takes live foods such as copepods and rotifers and plenty of work.

Good to know

All Hippocampus species are listed on CITES Appendix II, so choose legally sourced, preferably captive-bred fish. Keep it with slow, calm tankmates only, as it competes poorly for food and is prone to bacterial infections.