Country Species Summary

Hippocampus bargibanti in Indonesia
Pygmy seahorse

Hippocampus bargibanti Whitley, 1970
Family:	Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) , subfamily: Hippocampinae	picture (Hibar_u5.jpg) by Brett, O.J.
Order:	Syngnathiformes (pipefishes and seahorses)
Class:	Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
FishBase name:	Pygmy seahorse
Max. size:	2.4 cm OT (male/unsexed; Ref. 31803)
Environment:	reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 16 - 40 m
Climate:	tropical; 3°N - 23°S
Global Importance:	fisheries: of no interest
Resilience:	High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec=34)
Distribution:	Western Central Atlantic: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Queensland, and New Caledonia. Conservation status: data deficient (Ref. 30915). International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04).
Diagnosis:	Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15. Description based on 4 specimens: Adult height, less than 2.0 cm. Rings, 11-12 + 31-34. Snout length is greater than 4.0 in head length. Dorsal fin rays, 13-15 covering 1+1 rings. Pectoral fin rays, 10. Coronet, a rounded knob. Spine, as irregular bulbous tubercles scattered over body and tail; a single prominent rounded eye spine; a single low rounded cheek spine. Other distinctive characters: head and body very fleshy, mostly without recognizable body rings; ventral portion of trunk segments incomplete; snout extremely short. Color pattern: two color morphs are known: (a) pale grey or purple with pink or red tubercles (found on gorgonian coral Muricella plectana) and (b) yellow with orange tubercles (found on gorgonian coral Muricella paraplectana).
Biology:	Only known to occur on gorgonian corals of the genus Muricella, with up to 28 pairs on a single gorgonian. The tubercles and truncated snout of this species match the color and shape of the polyps of the host gorgonian, while its body matches the gorgonian stem. So extreme is this camouflage that the original specimens were only noticed after their host gorgonian had been collected and observed in an aquarium. Post-pelagic young settle on various hosts, but to breed, they appear to prefer the red polyp Muricella spp. That usually grow in depths over 20 m (Ref. 48635). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205)
Threatened:	Data deficient, see IUCN Red List , (Ref. 36508)
Dangerous:	harmless
Coordinator:
Main Ref:	Lourie, S.A., A.C.J. Vincent and H.J. Hall. 1999. (Ref. 30915)
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Indonesia country information
Common names:	Pygmy seahorse	Ref: Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001
Status:	native	Ref:
Salinity:	marine
Regulations:	no regulations	Ref:
Uses:	no uses
Comments:	Recorded from Lembeth Strait, Raja Ampat Islands, Bali and Manado and vicinity; with an Indonesian distribution from Papua to Bali to N. Sulawesi (Ref. 47567). Also Ref. 48635, 79848.
Country Information:	www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/id.html
Occurrences:	Occurrences Point map
Main Ref:	Lourie, S.A., A.C.J. Vincent and H.J. Hall, 1999
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Modified: Capuli, Estelita Emily

Entered: Froese, Rainer

Taipei, Taiwan

Page created by: Eli, 20.10.03, last modified by Eli, 26.06.07

	Ref.:		Glossary
		(e.g. 9948)		(e.g. cephalopods)
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