Animal Species:Highcrown Seahorse, Hippocampus procerus Kuiter, 2001

The Highcrown Seahorse can be recognised by a combination of characters that include a high, backward-directed coronet with five moderate-sized, sharp spines on the apex. The species is endemic to Australia.

Identification

The Highcrown Seahorse can be recognised by a combination of characters that include a high, backward-directed coronet with five moderate-sized, sharp spines on the apex. There are low spines on then 'neck' behind the head and usually one spine under the head between the eye and 'neck'. It is yellowish ventrally and brownish with dark scribbles dorsally. The snout is dusky to yellowish with white flecks and spots.

Size range

The Highcrown Seahorse grows to 11 cm in length.

Distribution

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Hippocampus procerus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Highcrown Seahorse specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:
procerus
Genus:
Hippocampus
Family:
Syngnathidae
Order:
Gasterosteiformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Kuiter, R H. 2001. Revision of the Australian seahorses of the genus Hippocampus (Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae) with descriptions of nine new species. Records of the Australian Museum. 53(3): 293-340.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Highcrown Seahorse, Hippocampus procerus, Syngnathidae, yellow, brown, 10 cm - 30 cm, marine, adult,