Hippocampus coronatus Temminck & Schlegel, 1850
Crowned seahorse
photo by Suzuki, T.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  13.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Japan and South Korea. This name has been misapplied to Hippocampus sindonis (Ref. 30915).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-14. Description: (based on 7 specimens): Adult height: 6.0-10.5cm. Rings: 10 + 39 (38-40). Snout length: 2.4 (2.3-2.5) in head length. Dorsal fin rays: 14 covering 2+0 rings. Pectoral fin rays: 12. Coronet: extremely tall, its tip fluted and turned backwards. Spines: very irregular; most body angles without spines, but where spines are present they are often long, thin and blunt-tipped Other distinctive characters: very short dorsal fin base, bordered by extremely expanded ‘wing-like’ projecting flattened spines; prominent eye spine. Color pattern: yellowish, marbled with dark brown; black dorsal surface.
Biology:  Inhabits Sargassum belts near shore. Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166). Length type OT refers to height (= TL - head length). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 21 October 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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