Giraffe seahorse (Hippocampus camelopardalis)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, occurrence map from GBIF, conservation from IUCN Red List.
Giraffe seahorse (Hippocampus camelopardalis) is a marine species in the family Syngnathidae (Chordata › Teleostei › Syngnathiformes), recorded in the World Register of Marine Species as Hippocampus camelopardalis Bianconi, 1854 under AphiaID 212233.
- Scientific name
- Hippocampus camelopardalis
- Authority
- Bianconi, 1854
- Family
- Syngnathidae
- Order
- Syngnathiformes
- Maximum length
- 10 cm
- Depth range
- 0–60 m
- Habitat zone
- demersal
- Iucn red list
- Data Deficient
- Gbif occurrence records
- 72
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Syngnathiformes · Family: Syngnathidae · Genus: Hippocampus.
Accepted name: Hippocampus camelopardalis · Authority: Bianconi, 1854 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 212233.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Hippocampus cameleopardalis Bianconi, 1854; Hippocampus cameleopardalus Bianconi, 1854; Hippocampus subcoronatus Günther, 1866.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212233 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Biology and life history (FishBase)
Measured values published by FishBase for Hippocampus camelopardalis. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 10 cm · Depth range: 0–60 m · Habitat zone: demersal · Body shape: other · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100.
FishBase notes: Found in seagrass and algal beds (Ref. 52034). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).
Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 7983) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Hippocampus-camelopardalis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
72 georeferenced occurrence records for Hippocampus camelopardalis are published through GBIF from 5 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 7 distinct locations from a sample of 72 records, omitting 7 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: Madagascar (37); Mozambique (25); Kenya (7); Mauritius (2); South Africa (1).
Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Mozambican Exclusive Economic Zone; Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone; Tanzanian Exclusive Economic Zone; South Africa (country); Madagascar.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5201121) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5201121&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212233 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Conservation status (IUCN Red List)
The IUCN Red List assesses Hippocampus camelopardalis Bianconi, 1854 as Data Deficient (code DD). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.
Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 10064) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/10064/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 5201121) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5201121/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.
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