Hippocampus spinosissimus Weber, 1913

Size

For identification, Hippocampus spinosissimus is usually around 12.5 centimetres (4.9 inches) long.

Head Features

It has a long snout and a low coronet.

Body Spines

Its body spines change in prominence over its lifetime, with juveniles being more spiny than adults.

Coloration

Individuals typically have a yellow-orange to deep red or dark brown snout, a dark front of the head, and pale grey saddle-shaped markings or bands across the trunk and tail.

Depth-related Coloration

Specimens found in deep water are usually red or orange, which likely helps them match the sponges and corals that grow at that depth.

General Habitat

For habitat, Hippocampus spinosissimus lives in reef systems, occupying areas with sand or silt bottoms, and can be found down to a maximum depth of 70 metres (230 feet).

Philippines Habitat

In the central Philippines, individuals are most often found on relatively barren soft or sandy bottoms and in depressions, where they live alongside octocorals, sea stars, sea pens, sea urchins, sponges, submerged wood, and macroalgae.

Habitat Avoidance

They are rarely found living directly on reefs or with hard corals.

Malaysia Habitat Data

Data from trawls in Malaysia shows this species has similar habitat preferences there.

Reproductive Mode

For reproduction and growth, Hippocampus spinosissimus is an ovoviviparous species.

Egg Transfer

The female uses an ovipositor to transfer eggs into an enclosed brood pouch located on the male's stomach.

Male Brooding & Birth Size

The male then fertilizes the eggs, protects the developing embryos, and eventually gives birth to tiny independent young that measure 5.63 millimetres (0.222 inches) long.

Sexual Maturity Size

Individuals reach sexual maturity when they are roughly 10.4 centimetres (4.1 inches) long.