|
Hippocampus jayakari Boulenger, 1900 Jayakar's seahorse |
|
|
photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae | |||
| Max. size: | 14 cm OT (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 80 m, non-migratory | |||
| Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea and Arabian Sea (Israel), Oman and Pakistan. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-19. Description: (based on 8 specimens): Adult height: 11.0-13.0cm. Rings: 11+38-39. Snout length: 2.1 (1.9-2.4) in head length. Dorsal fin rays: 18-19 covering 2+1 rings. Pectoral fin rays: 17-18. Coronet: low-medium with four very long sharp spines. Spines: very long and sharp; no spines on alternate tail rings. Other distinctive characters: double cheek spine (usually); double spine below eye; very long, sharp spine in front of coronet and above eye. Color pattern: pale cream or beige colored; often with a pattern of large white spots on body and face; spines with a broad dark band near tip; dark mid-ventral line. | |||
| Biology: | Found in seagrass beds, e.g. Halophila spp. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2016 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||