{"product_id":"spotted-seahorse-hippocampus-kuda","title":"Spotted Seahorse | Hippocampus kuda","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Spotted Seahorse is a captivating, characterful seahorse and one of the larger species available, reaching around 28 cm from head to curled tail. With its upright posture, grasping tail and slow, deliberate movements, it is endlessly charming to watch. It is, however, a delicate specialist that needs a dedicated tank and committed care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHippocampus kuda occurs widely across the Indo-Pacific, in sheltered bays, estuaries, seagrass beds and mangrove edges where it anchors to plants and structures with its tail. It is a poor swimmer that relies on camouflage and ambush to feed on tiny drifting crustaceans. In the aquarium it needs calm, stable conditions with plenty of hitching posts such as macroalgae, gorgonians or artificial holdfasts. A dedicated species tank is by far the best way to keep it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is ringed with bony plates, typically yellow, tan, brown or almost black, and often dusted with small dark spots that give the species its name. Individuals can change colour to some degree to match their surroundings. The prehensile tail is used to grip, and the tubular snout to suck up tiny prey. Reaching around 28 cm, it is a substantial seahorse. Healthy specimens hitch confidently and feed with a clearly visible snapping motion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is an extremely peaceful, slow and delicate animal that must never be kept with active or aggressive fish. It is easily outcompeted for food and stressed by boisterous tank mates or stinging corals. The safest option is a dedicated seahorse tank, optionally with other seahorses or very gentle companions such as small gobies. Peaceful, non-stinging tank inhabitants only should be considered.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore, the Spotted Seahorse should be fed frequently on enriched frozen mysis shrimp, ideally two to three times daily, and many aquarium specimens are already trained onto frozen foods. Live foods such as enriched brine or mysis can help settle new or fussy individuals. Because they are slow, deliberate feeders, tank mates must not strip food before the seahorse can eat. Regular, targeted feeding is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 110 L, ideally taller than it is wide, with 200 L or more recommended, as a dedicated species aquarium. Importantly, keep the temperature cooler than for most tropical marines, at around 22–25°C, to reduce the risk of bacterial disease, along with pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.025. Gentle flow, pristine stable water and plenty of hitching posts are essential. This species should only be added to a fully cycled, mature system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeahorses have a famous reproductive role reversal: the male carries the developing young in a brood pouch and gives birth to fully formed miniature seahorses. Hippocampus kuda has been captive-bred, but raising the tiny fry requires dedicated systems and a constant supply of enriched live foods. It is a rewarding but demanding project for experienced keepers, not a casual undertaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHippocampus kuda\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpotted Seahorse (Common Seahorse)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific bays, estuaries, seagrass and mangrove areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e28 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful and very delicate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExpert\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 L (tall)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L or larger (species tank)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; frequent enriched mysis, often frozen-trained\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–25°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDedicated, mature seahorse species aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe (peaceful, non-stinging systems only)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other seahorses, small peaceful gobies and other very gentle, slow-moving species in a calm, dedicated system with plenty of hitching posts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with active or aggressive fish, fast feeders that will outcompete it, and stinging corals or anemones that can injure it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234133360931,"sku":"AA2594-S-AU","price":125.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234133393699,"sku":"AA2594","price":136.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234133426467,"sku":"AA2594-L-AU","price":145.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351932485923,"sku":"AA2594-XL-AU","price":165.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562752393507,"sku":"AA2594-S-CB","price":125.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562752426275,"sku":"AA2594-M-CB","price":136.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562752459043,"sku":"AA2594-L-CB","price":145.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562752491811,"sku":"AA2594-XL-CB","price":165.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/spotted-seahorse-hippocampus-43091409240355.webp?v=1790305845","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/spotted-seahorse-hippocampus-kuda","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}