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High-crown Seahorse

Hippocampus procerus

Also known as high crown seahorse, highcrown seahorse, high-crowned seahorse, procerus seahorse, 高冠海马

High-crown Seahorse
Photo: [photograph Jon Fong] Short G, Harasti D, Hamilton H (2019) Hippocampus whitei Bleeker, 1855, a senior synonym of the southern Queensland seahorse H. procerus Kuiter, 2001: molecular and morphological evidence (Teleostei, Syngnathidae). ZooKeys 824: 109-133. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.824.30921, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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A medium sized Australian seahorse with a tall, crown-like coronet and colours ranging from yellow and orange to brown, often with darker mottling. It is kept by seahorse enthusiasts for its upright posture, slow, deliberate behaviour and the chance to watch males carry young.

Care at a glance

Care level
Hard
Temperament
Peaceful
Adult size
15 cm
Temperature
22 to 26 °C
pH
8.1 to 8.4
Smallest tank
110 litres
Keep as
A pair or small group in a species tank
Diet
Carnivore: frozen mysis shrimp, enriched live brine shrimp and amphipods, fed several times a day
Swims
Middle of the tank
Lifespan
3 to 5 years
Water
Marine (saltwater)
Wild range
Northeastern Australia (Queensland coast)

Breeding

The female transfers eggs into the male's brood pouch, and he releases live young after roughly three to four weeks. Captive breeding is possible but rearing the tiny fry needs copepods or rotifers and newly hatched brine shrimp, which takes dedication.

Good to know

All seahorses are listed on CITES Appendix II and Australia tightly controls exports, so seek captive-bred stock. Keep only with calm tankmates, avoid stinging corals and strong currents, and provide hitching posts.