Tiger Tail Seahorse Care Guide
Hippocampus comes is an Indo-West Pacific seahorse with a distinctive striped tail, listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Overview
Hippocampus comes, the Tiger Tail Seahorse, is a marine, reef-associated species of the family Syngnathidae described by Theodore Cantor in 1850. It occurs in the Indo-West Pacific and is recognised by yellow saddle markings and a banded tail. According to FishBase, it is nocturnal and site-faithful, usually living in monogamous pairs.
Taxonomy
- Family: Syngnathidae
- Genus: Hippocampus
- Scientific name: Hippocampus comes
Habitat
FishBase records this species from India (Andaman Islands), Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, at depths of 0 to 32 m. It associates with coral reefs, sponge gardens, kelp and floating Sargassum, holding to such structures with its prehensile tail.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness range (KB): 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Adult length: up to about 18.7 cm (FishBase)
Diet
A carnivore. FishBase reports that it feeds on zooplankton; Wikipedia adds small shrimp and other small invertebrates. In aquaria it requires frequent feeding of small meaty foods delivered slowly, as it is a deliberate ambush feeder.
Compatibility
A peaceful, slow-moving fish best kept with other unhurried feeders such as pipefishes and mandarins. Fast or aggressive tankmates outcompete it for food and should be avoided.
Breeding
The species is ovoviviparous: the male broods the eggs in a ventral pouch holding up to roughly 2,000 eggs. FishBase gives a gestation of about 2-3 weeks, varying with water temperature, with maturity reached near 8.1 cm.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (assessed 2013). Like all Hippocampus species it is listed on CITES Appendix II, and FishBase notes its use in traditional medicine and the aquarium trade.