The Zebra Seahorse Hippocampus zebra

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WWCC

WWCC

In Memoriam
Truly a jewel of the ocean. This seahorse is endemic to Australia and will most likely not enter the Marine Aquarium Trade but if you have information that states otherwise, please post here :).
Zebraseahorse.jpg

There is not much information surrounding this seahorse, but this is what fishbase.org had to say:
Zebra Seahorse Hippocampus zebra
tn_Hizeb_m0.jpg

Main reference
Lourie, S.A., A.C.J. Vincent and H.J. Hall. 1999. (Ref. 30915)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator | Collaborators
Size / Weight / Age
Max length : 8.0 cm OT male/unsexed; (Ref. 30915)
Length at first maturity
Lm 7.00
Environment
Reef-associated; non-migratory; marine; depth range 20 - 69 m (Ref. 52034), usually ? - 20 m (Ref. 30915)
Climate / Range
Tropical; 11°S - 27°S
Distribution
Western Central Pacific: northeastern Australia. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04).
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions
Short description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17. Description: (based on 3 specimens): Adult height: 7.0-8.0cm. Rings: 11 + 38-39. Snout length: 2.1-2.2 in head length. Dorsal fin rays: 17 covering 2+1 rings. Pectoral fin rays: 15-16. Coronet: medium, conical, with five tiny points on top (not splayed). Spines: very low, small and sharp, or none. Other distinctive characters: prominent sharp eye spine. Color pattern: black (or dark brown) and white striped all over.
Biology Glossary (e.g. epibenthic)
Found inshore on reef areas (Ref. 7300). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)
Threat to humans
Data deficient (DD)
Harmless:thumbsup:
 
There is a zebra striped variation of H. trimaculatus that is nearly as impressive that used to make it into the US on a few rare occasions before CITES restrictions. I keep hoping someone in their home range will aquire some and breed them and ship to the US. :)
 
If Wishes Were Fishes then we'd all have some, or would that be if fishes were wishes we'd all have some. Its either one way or the other for FishGrrl's previous post. I'm in a paradox HELP! PS thanks for posting! :) Also i don't think you can get H. trimaculatus now either. They're listed as Vulnerable
 
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The first picture that you posted is of the variant of H. trimaculatus that Tami mentioned. H. zebra do not have the large, prominent cheek spine that H. zebra have. I cannot really tell on the second photo, but it doesn't seem yo have the characteristic stripes on the snout either, so it may or may not be H. zebra...
Either way, you are more likely to cross a seadragon in the hobby, or one of the pygmy species that you fancy. H. zebra are the epitomy of rare, with so few ever ending up in captivity that you could count them on one hand.
 
Thanks Anne, I was thinking that might have been a trimaculatus, but then doubted myself.
 
Well I Just pick up a pair of kellogg's from my LFS and asked him if he can get me one pair of the zebra. Guess not or keep my fingres cross.
 
zef004 said:
Well I Just pick up a pair of kellogg's from my LFS and asked him if he can get me one pair of the zebra. Guess not or keep my fingres cross.
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I only know of 4 currently being kept in home aquariums in the world.

There is a problem finding them, and then bringing them up from the depths in which they live.
 
Well, This is the first time I've seen ArKive make a mistake... kinda funny actually. Heres the pic:
Image removed. Linking photos without the link and/or photo credit is inappropriate.
 
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WWCC said:
Well, This is the first time I've seen ArKive make a mistake... kinda funny actually. Heres the pic:
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Arkive has a lot of misidentified seahorses. I think H. comes has a H. reidi in it, or maybe its the other way around and I know I saw a few more. I've mailed them, but didn't get a response and last I checked it wasn't corrected.
 
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How come the picture Ann linked to on the seahorse. org gallery is the same as what WWCC posted as being from ArKive? Are they related sites?
 
Edit: I think WWCC was just trying to post the picture I linked to. Normally I wouldn't have batted an eye at that, but it is a really rare picture and it isn't mine. The zebra pic isn't on Arkive.
 
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