Giraffe seahorse
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The giraffe seahorse (Hippocampus camelopardalis) is a species of fish of the family Syngnathidae.[1] It is found in coastal waters off of the south and east coasts of Africa, from South Africa to Tanzania, and possibly north to Kenya.[2] It lives in estuarine seagrass beds, algae beds, and shallow reefs to depths of Script error: No such module "convert"., where it can grow to lengths of Script error: No such module "convert"..[2][3] It is expected to feed on small crustaceans, similar to other seahorses. This species is ovoviviparous, with males carrying eggs in a brood pouch before giving birth to live young. Individuals are sexually mature at around Script error: No such module "convert"..[3] Major threats to this species could be habitat loss, through coastal development and pollution, and overexploitation through bycatch.[2] Some other threats include human use by drying out the seahorse for traditional medicine or as a curio.
Some distinctive characteristics include dark spots, one on the top of the coronet or crown of the seahorse's head and some on the dorso-lateral surface of the seahorse. It has a prominent spine above its eye in both the female and male specimen.
References
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- ↑ a b c Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ a b Lourie, S.A., A.C.J. Vincent and H.J. Hall, 1999. Seahorses: an identification guide to the world's species and their conservation. Project Seahorse, London. p.214
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