Featured image shooting: FISH PARADISE! Editorial department
| classification | genus Seahorse |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | seahorse |
| scientific name | Hippocampus coronatus |
| distribution | Various coasts from southern Hokkaido to Kyushu |
| feature | The snout and tail are elongated. It has horn-like projections on its head. |
What does seahorse mean in English?
source:Pixabay
In Japanese, it has a cool Japanese name of tatsunootoshigo (dragon spawn), but in English it is called "sea horse".
It seems that the origin of the name is different between Japanese and English. I have.
On the other hand, even in English, there is a "leafy sea dragon" that is familiar to aquariums as a closely related species of seahorses, so the appearance of seahorses seems to be associated with horses and dragons.
Unique breeding ecology of seahorses!
source:Photo AC
Seahorses have very interesting ecology not found in other fish. Males give birth to babies.In the case of ordinary fish, the reproductive ecology is such that the eggs laid by the female are fertilized by the male, but seahorses are completely different.
First, a pair of seahorses swims with their tails entwined and mates. At this time, the female lays her eggs in the male's brood pouch. Eggs are fertilized in the brood pouch and hatch in 2-3 weeks.
After hatching, the male gives birth to juveniles when the juveniles reach a size of about 5 mm. Not only the appearance but also the ecology of the fish is not so different.
Can seahorses be domesticated?
source:Photo AC
Seahorses are relatively easy to keep if you pay attention to a few things. First of all, the best bait is live mysid shrimp. Individuals farmed for pets can eat frozen food, but if you catch and raise wild seahorses, be careful as it is difficult to feed them.
Next, regarding the water flow, since seahorses are not good at swimming and their tails are tied to aquatic plants to stabilize their posture, it is better to use a weaker water flow. The water temperature varies depending on the species, but if you keep it around 22 degrees, you should be fine.
The water quality is basically the same as a normal marine aquarium, so if you are interested, why not give it a try?
A seahorse is a fish that looks great in an illustration!
source:Illustrated AC
Seahorses are often used in illustrations due to their unique appearance and high profile. If you search the Internet, you will find a variety of hits ranging from realistic illustrations like photographs to colorfully colored works of high artistic quality.
In addition to illustrations, seahorse designs are used in various products such as picture books, patterns for hand towels, bags, T-shirts, and key chains. The seahorse seems like a fish that goes well with artistry.
Seahorse House is Japan's only seahorse tourism farm!
source:Pixabay
Do you know a facility called Seahorse House? Located in Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture, this facility is operated by a company called Seahorseways Co., Ltd. The only seahorse farm in Japanis.
In addition to farming and selling seahorses, there is even a mini-aquarium dedicated to seahorses, which you can visit for free. This facility is irresistible for seahorse lovers. It's close to the famous Ibusuki Onsen, so if you're interested, why not drop by while you're on your trip?
Current status of seahorses
source:Photo AC
Seahorses are very popular fish due to their cute appearance and unique behavior. On the other hand, it is highly valued for commercial use, and is especially distributed as a raw material for herbal medicine. Overseas, the population is declining due to overhunting.
As of 2017, it is not listed in the red list announced by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, but it may be designated as an endangered species in the near future. In fact, some seahorse relatives have already been designated as endangered species.
Proper resource protection and management is desired so that this cute fish does not become extinct.
*The eye-catching image is of an individual left behind in a tide pool, released into the sea immediately after the photo was taken.
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