How many fins does a seahorse have

Eye, nose, and cheek spines also differ in length from species to species. All seahorses have independently orbital eyes and a pair of pectoral fins immediately behind the gill opening. The seahorses means of propulsion process of propelling are its pectoral fin, located just behind the gill opening and its dorsal fin, which joins the trunk at the tail. On male seahorses, a brood pouch is found beneath the anal fin and when empty, tapers gradually to the tail. Seahorses use their prehensile tails to anchor themselves to objects such as seaweed and branching corals.

Despite their tendency to live in fairly shallow waters, seahorses are difficult to see in the wild, since they can remain very still and blend in with their surroundings. Although there is some variation based on species, in general, seahorses feed on plankton and tiny crustaceans such as amphipods, decapods, and mysids, as well as algae. Seahorses do not have stomachs, so food passes through their bodies very quickly, and they need to eat often, between 30 and 50 times a day.

Although they are fish, seahorses are not great swimmers. Seahorses prefer to rest in one area, sometimes holding on to the same coral or seaweed for days. They beat their fins very quickly, up to 50 times a second, but they do not move quickly. They are able to move up, down, forward or backward. Many seahorses are monogamous, at least during a single breeding cycle.

A myth perpetuates that seahorses mate for life, but this doesn't seem to be true. Unlike many other fish species, though, seahorses have a complex courtship ritual and may form a bond that lasts during the entire breeding season. Larger individuals—male and female both—produce larger and more offspring, and there is some evidence for mate choice based on size. Unlike any other species, male seahorses become pregnant and carry babies called fry to term.

Females insert their eggs through an oviduct into the male's brood pouch. The male wiggles to get the eggs into position, and once all the eggs are inserted, the male goes to a nearby coral or seaweed and grabs on with his tail to wait out gestation, which lasts 9—45 days. Males produce — young per pregnancy and while the main source of food to the embryos is the yolk of the egg, the males do provide additional sustenance. When it's time to give birth, he'll contort his body in contractions until the young are born, over a period of minutes or sometimes hours.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN has not as yet evaluated seahorse endangerment, but Hippocampus spp were among the first fishes brought under global trade restrictions in All countries which were historically exporting large numbers of them have since banned the export or are under CITES export suspensions—some banned the export prior to However they do not have caudal fins and have a long snake-like tail.

They also have a neck and a snout that points down. Seahorses have long thin snouts enabling them to probe into nooks and crannies for food. When they find food they suck it up through their snouts like a vacuum cleaner. Their snouts can expand if their prey Is larger than the snout.

They are not able to chew and have to disintegrate the food as they eat it. Seahorses have excellent eyesight and their eyes are able to work independently on either side of their head. This means they can look forwards and backwards at the same time! This is particularly useful as they hunt for food by sight. It was always thought that Seahorses pair for life but research by The Seahorse trust has shown that pair bonding is just for a few months or a season at a time.

They meet first thing in the morning to reinforce their pair bonding with an elaborate courtship display. The female meets the male in his territory and as they approach each other, they change colour.

The male circles around the female and the pair often spiral around an object. This display can last for up to an hour. Once over the female goes back to her territory.

Females have a territory of about sq metres and males have a territory of about 0. Their territories overlap. We hope this is okay but if not, you can opt-out using the button below. To find out more, read our Cookies Policy. Ask a parent or guardian to help you if you're stuck! Okay, accept cookies I don't want cookies Settings.

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