Seahorse males do the incubation!

The Seahorse is not at all a 'horse', rather it is a type of fish in the genus Hippocampus, and having the scientific name Hippocampus heptagonus. They are found practically in all the oceans and prefer living in sheltered areas near the seabed. Seahorses are named so, as they have a head and neck like a horse, a body armour, and an upright posture along with a curled tail.



The reproduction mechanism of the seahorse is a unique one. Here, the male seahorse does the incubation. It has a pouch on the ventral side of its tail, where the female seahorse deposits up to 1500 eggs when mating. The eggs are carried for about a month, after which, the young seahorses are released into the seawater. They serve as food in the early stages; those who survive, grow and the cycle continues.


Credits : pinterest
Size of seahorses ranges from 0.6 inches to 14 inches. Like razorfish, Seahorses swim upright, using pectoral fins for steering and the dorsal fin for propelling. The caudal fin is absent in these fishes. They have a prehensile tail consisting of square rings. They can withstand extreme conditions and are masters of camouflage, a skill vital for their survival.



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