All fish / Syngnathidae

Lichtenstein's seahorse

Hippocampus lichtensteinii

Also known as lichtenstein's seahorse, red sea pygmy seahorse, lichtensteins seahorse, 利希滕斯坦海马

This is a very small Red Sea seahorse, only a few centimetres long, with a short snout and a body that ranges from brown to yellowish with fine mottling. It is rarely seen in the trade, and specialist keepers value it as a tiny curiosity for nano reef setups.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

A pair or small group in a species-only tank

Diet

Carnivore: live copepods, newly hatched and enriched Artemia, mysis and other small live crustaceans

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

1 to 3 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Red Sea

Breeding

As with other seahorses, the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch and gives birth to fully formed young. The tiny fry need very small live foods such as copepods and rotifers, so rearing them in captivity is difficult.

Good to know

Little is known about this species, so its care is mostly based on related dwarf seahorses. Most need live food, and they should be kept away from fast or competitive fish. All Hippocampus species are listed on CITES Appendix II, so legal paperwork is needed for trade.