Hippocampus minotaur Gomon, 1997
Bullneck seahorse
Hippocampus minotaur
photo by Lourie, S.A.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  5 cm OT (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 64 - 100 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: southeastern Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7. Description: (based on 3 specimens): Adult height: <5.0cm. Rings: 8+41. Snout length: 6.2 in head length. Dorsal fin rays: 7 covering 1+1 rings. Pectoral fin rays: 11. Coronet: low mound. Spines: none, body totally flat. Other distinctive characters: no exaggerated constriction (very thick neck) between head and body; very short snout; huge head; head and body extremely fleshy without recognizable body rings, spines or other ornamentation; ventral trunk ridges undeveloped; body laterally flattened. Color pattern: only preserved specimens have been examined thus far; they are mostly cream, with scattered brown-centered dots.
Biology:  Found on the continental shelf (Ref. 75154). Trawled from fine sand or hard bottom, possibly in association with gorgonian coral (Ref. 205). Benthic species (Ref. 75154). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 27 July 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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