Lined seahorse
Hippocampus erectus
This fish has an elongated body with bony rings and a prehensile tail. Its color varies from yellow to brown, with dark longitudinal lines. It reaches up to 19 cm. It swims vertically and attaches to supports with its tail. It is monogamous and the male carries the eggs. It feeds on small crustaceans. In the aquarium, it is more tolerant than other seahorse species. It can be kept in pairs or groups. It is sensitive to water quality but adapts well to frozen food.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 20–26 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 |
| GH | 8–12 |
| KH | 8–12 |
| Salinity | 1.02–1.025 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 10 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.05 |
Care
Care notes
Temperature 20–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity 1.020–1.025. A minimum 100-liter tank, preferably tall, is recommended. Water flow should be low. Diet includes enriched mysis and brine shrimp, fed 2–3 times a day. Avoid fast or aggressive fish. A protein skimmer and biological filtration are essential. Keep nitrates below 10 mg/L and phosphates below 0.05 mg/L. Provide anchoring points (gorgonians, algae). Regular water changes are important. This species is hardier than the common seahorse.