Despite their horse-like appearance, seahorses are actually fish. Seahorses are found around the world, usually in shallow, warmer waters - often in seagrass, mangroves or coral reefs.

• Two species of seahorse can be found in UK waters, the short-snouted seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus, and H.guttulatus the spiny seahorse.
• Seahorses belong to the family Syngnathidae, which also includes seadragons and pipefishes, and are thought to have existed for at least 40 million years. They belong to the genus Hippocampus, derived from the Greek hippos for horse and campus meaning sea-monster.
• Instead of scales, seahorses have skin stretched over a series of bony plates which are visible as rings around the body. They can move each eye independently. The shape of their coronet (or crown of the head) is nearly as distinctive as a human thumb print. Seahorses have dorsal fins for propulsion, ear-like pectoral fins for stabilization and steering, and a small anal fin.
• Seahorses exhibit the most highly specialised paternal care of any animal. They are unique in that it is the male seahorse, and only the male, that becomes pregnant.
• Seahorses and their relatives feed mainly on small crustaceans such as mysid shrimps, but also on fish fry and other plankton. Food is sucked in whole through the tubular mouth, which has no teeth. Large numbers of prey must be consumed to sustain individuals. As juveniles grow, their diets change to include larger items.

threats

For centuries seahorses have been credited with having potent magical and medicinal qualities. Unfortunately, their mystique and fascinating lifestyle make seahorses vulnerable to exploitation by man. Seahorses are sought in great numbers for use in traditional medicines, as aquarium fishes and as curiosities.

The major threats to seahorse populations are from:

• Overfishing
• Destructive fishing methods
• Traditional Chinese medicine 
• Aquarium and souvenir trade
• Habitat destruction and pollution