Dwarf Seahorse - Hippocampus zosterae

The Dwarf Seahorse is a tiny, captivating marine fish known for its upright swimming posture, coiled tail, and delicate movements. With a maximum size of just under 2 inches, this unique species thrives in calm, species-specific nano aquariums and rewards patient aquarists with its fascinating behavior and charm.

Description:

Common Name: Dwarf Seahorse

Scientific Name: Hippocampus zosterae

Family: Syngnathidae

Size: Up to 1.8 inches (4.5 cm)

Temperament: Peaceful

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Reef Safe: With caution

Native Region:

Native to the shallow seagrass beds and mangrove estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico and the western Atlantic Ocean, particularly around Florida.

Aquarium Setup:

Tank Size: Minimum of 5 gallons (species-only tank recommended)

Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)

pH: 8.0–8.4

Salinity: 1.020–1.023

Substrate: Fine sand with hitching posts like macroalgae, gorgonians, or artificial seagrass; very gentle flow required.

Additional Tips:

• Feeding: Requires daily feedings of live baby brine shrimp or copepods; may not accept frozen foods.

• Tankmates: Best kept in a species-only tank—cannot compete for food with faster fish or invertebrates.

• Behavior: Slow-moving and highly dependent on hitching surfaces for stability; extremely sensitive to water quality.

• Breeding: One of the few seahorse species that breeds readily in captivity—males carry eggs in a brood pouch.