Giraffe seahorse

The giraffe seahorse (Hippocampus camelopardalis) is a species of fish of the family Syngnathidae.^[4] 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.^[1] It lives in estuarine seagrass beds, algae beds, and shallow reefs to depths of 45 metres (148 ft), where it can grow to lengths of 10 centimetres (3.9 in).^[1][5] 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 6.5 centimetres (2.6 in).^[5] Major threats to the species include habitat loss, coastal development and pollution, and overexploitation through bycatch.^[1] Some other threats include human use by drying out the seahorse for traditional medicine or as a curio.

Giraffe seahorse
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Syngnathiformes
Family:	Syngnathidae
Genus:	Hippocampus
Species:	H. camelopardalis
Binomial name
Hippocampus camelopardalis Bianconi, 1854
Synonyms[3]
Hippocampus subcoronatus Günther,1867

The giraffe seahorse has dark spots across its body: one on the top of the coronet or crown of the seahorse's head and some on the dorso-lateral surface of the seahorse. Both genders have a prominent spine above the eye.