The Fascinating Lives of Seahorses
In the animal kingdom, seahorses are pretty unique in that males get pregnant. These doting fathers carry their babies around in a pouch for about 20 days before giving birth. Numerous characteristics make these specialized fish interesting, including the fact that they hold the title for the fish that swims the slowest.
Seahorses swim upright and use their dorsal fins to propel slowly forward. To move up and down, they adjust the volume of air in their swim bladders, which is an air pocket inside their bodies. Easily exhausted, they wrap their tails around blades of grass or coral to rest and hide from predators looking for a snack. Some other interesting facts: they can change color, move their eyes independently of one another, and have a prehensile tail (meaning it can grasp objects).
About 50 species of seahorses live in shallow waters around the world, found in habitats like seagrass beds, coral reefs and mangroves. Florida is home to three species, the lined seahorse, which can grow to more than seven inches; the dwarf, which is less than an inch; and the slender or longsnout seahorse, which can be seven inches long.
Globally, the lined seahorse is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List with decreasing populations, along with 11 other species. They face threats due to habitat loss from development, pollution, being caught in indiscriminate fishing gear, as well as being caught, dried and sold for traditional medicines to treat infertility, among other things. An estimated 37 million seahorses are taken from the ocean every year.
Emilie Stump, a biologist with the marine conservation group, Project Seahorse, examined how seahorses and their cousins, the pipefish, used habitat in Biscayne National Park in an effort to help their conservation. During her study, she documented two species of seahorse and found that they prefer seagrass meadows over coral reef and other habitats.
Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach is a well-known spot to search for seahorses, along with other well-camouflaged critters like octopus and nudibranchs.
“I’ve loved seahorses ever since I was a kid,” says photographer, Nico Ientile. “After waiting my whole life to see one, I was stoked to finally find one while diving the bridge.” It takes effort and a keen eye to find them, he said, but the bizarre fish are worth it.
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Written by Bethany Augliere / Photography by Nicodemo Ientile