Longsnout seahorse (Hippocampus reidi)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Syngnathiformes · Family: Syngnathidae · Genus: Hippocampus.

Accepted name: Hippocampus reidi · Authority: Ginsburg, 1933 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 159446.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Hippocampus obtusus Ginsburg, 1933; Hippocampus poeyi Howell Rivero, 1934.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=159446 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Hippocampus reidi. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 17.5 cm · Depth range: 0–60 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: other · Vulnerability index: 11.6 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Uncommon in most areas, but may be locally common in certain places. Usually attached to gorgonians or seagrasses but may occur in floating Sargassum or swimming freely in midwater (Ref. 9710). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35409). Length type refers to Height (= from top of coronet to the tip of straightened tail). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128812.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 3285) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Hippocampus-reidi.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

2,727 georeferenced occurrence records for Hippocampus reidi are published through GBIF from 43 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 174 distinct locations from a sample of 2,727 records, omitting 47 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: United States of America (960); Puerto Rico (460); Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (288); Mexico (209); Brazil (190).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5201123) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5201123&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=159446 (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 reidi Ginsburg, 1933 as Near Threatened (code NT). 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 10082) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/10082/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 5201123) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5201123/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The specific name honors Earl D. Reid of the Division of Fishes at the Smithsonian Institution.

The slender seahorses have a gestation period of around two weeks and typically grow to be approximately 6.8 inches long (17.5 centimeters), while the mean height of juvenile slender seahorses is only around 8.2 millimeters. Males are usually orange, while the females are yellow. However, both males and females may have brown or white spots placed sporadically upon their body. These spots may also change into a pink or white color during the courtship period.

The slender seahorse has been found at depths of 55 m. Smaller individuals inhabit shallower waters. The slender seahorse has an affinity for coral reefs and seagrass beds and can be found on gorgonian coral, seagrass, mangroves, and Sargassum. It is native to many countries, including the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Grenada, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, United States (Florida and North Carolina), and Venezuela. It inhabits subtropical regions, ranging from 29 degrees north to 25 degrees south and 133 degrees west to 40 degrees east. The species is common in China and more so in Brazil, but in both areas is at risk of becoming an endangered species. In China these seahorses are used for trade and for traditionally Chinese medication, while in Brazil they are heavily traded, involving the commercial extraction of 25 million seahorses per year.

Source: Wikipedia: Slender seahorse — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slender_seahorse (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.