Miniature Stallions Of The Sea

Denise's Pygmy Seahorse

The oceans are usually associated with organisms so enormous that they would put an elephant to shame. But some organisms are so small that they almost always go unnoticed. Pygmy seahorses fit in to the latter category. They are similar to regular seahorses but a few morphological differences and their size sets them apart. Pygmy seahorses can be as small as 1.4 cm. The largest ones are around 2.7 cm in length. So its not surprising that most pygmy seahorse species were discovered only in the 21st century. Unlike the bigger seahorses, pygmy seahorses are found in tropical coral reefs, usually in association with certain corals. A species called Bargibant's pygmy seahorse is very particular about it’s habitat. It spends it’s entire adult life anchored to a single coral. This species is exceedingly specific about the type of coral it chooses. It is always found on Gorgonian corals of the species Muricella paraplectana or Muricella plectana. Some Pygmy seahorses are more accepting of other species of corals. Denise’s pygmy seahorses can be found on several types of Gorgonian corals. These seahorses assume the appearance of the coral they live on, at a very young age. The young of this species, like all other pygmy seahorse species, are released from the male’s brood pouch with considerable force. They are carried away by the current and feed while floating, till they grow. They then settle down on a coral and their dark-coloured bodies change and flaunt more vibrant hues. They not only change colour but also texture, growing bumps or projections on their bodies, donning a new look, to match the corals they will spend the rest of their lives on. Not all pygmy seahorses prefer corals as their home. A species called Pontoh’s pygmy seahorse is seen in pairs or small groups on calcareous algae. The smallest species of seahorse, Satomi's pygmy seahorse, is extremely challenging to find, not only because of it's size but also because it is nocturnal. This also makes it hard to study their behaviour. There is still so much that is not known about Pygmy seahorses. There may be several more species, hidden in the sea, evading discovery. They may be difficult to find but it would, undeniably, be worth the effort. 

Bargibant's Pygmy Seahorse