{"product_id":"white-s-seahorse","title":"White's Seahorse | Hippocampus whitei","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhite's Seahorse is a charming Australian seahorse and one of the most rewarding, if demanding, marine animals to keep. Native to the estuaries and sheltered reefs of New South Wales, it is a temperate species best suited to a cooler, dedicated aquarium. It reaches around 16 cm and forms life-long pair bonds. Please note this species is listed as Endangered in Australia, so captive-bred specimens should always be chosen over wild-caught animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHippocampus whitei lives along the temperate coast of eastern Australia, particularly around Sydney Harbour and nearby estuaries, where it clings to soft corals, sponges, seagrass and protective netting in calm, sheltered water. Because it is a temperate animal, it prefers cooler conditions than tropical marine fish. A dedicated aquarium with gentle flow, plenty of hitching posts and calm, stable water best replicates its home.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is upright and armoured with bony rings, ranging in colour from cream and yellow to brown and near-black, often with fine spots and pale saddle markings that help it blend with its surroundings. It has a prehensile tail for gripping and a long snout for feeding. Males carry a brood pouch on the belly. Healthy seahorses hitch confidently, feed keenly and hold good body condition without a sunken appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhite's Seahorse is peaceful, slow-moving and easily out-competed for food, so it must only be kept with equally calm, non-aggressive companions or, ideally, in a species tank. Fast or boisterous fish, stinging corals and any animal that competes at feeding time are unsuitable. Seahorses generally do best kept as pairs or small groups of their own kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a carnivore requiring frequent feeding. Offer enriched frozen mysis shrimp as the staple, ideally several small feeds each day, along with occasional live foods to tempt reluctant feeders. Captive-bred seahorses are usually well trained to frozen foods, which is another reason to choose them. Target feeding helps ensure each animal gets enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a dedicated aquarium of at least 100 L for a pair, taller rather than long, with gentle flow and numerous hitching posts. As a temperate species it prefers cooler water, ideally around 18–24°C, and may need a chiller in warm climates. Maintain pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Impeccable, stable water quality is essential, as seahorses are sensitive to poor conditions and bacterial infections. This is an advanced animal that rewards careful, dedicated keeping.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhite's Seahorse breeds more readily than many marine fish and has been the focus of conservation breeding programmes. Pairs form strong bonds, and the male carries the eggs in his brood pouch before giving birth to fully formed, independent young. The newborns can take enriched Artemia from birth but require dedicated rearing with excellent water quality and frequent feeding to survive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHippocampus whitei\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite's Seahorse (Sydney Seahorse)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperate eastern Australia (New South Wales)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–8 years with excellent 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\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L (dedicated seahorse tank)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger, taller aquarium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; frequent enriched frozen mysis, occasional live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–24°C (temperate; cooler than tropical marine)\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\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDedicated, peaceful seahorse aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with peaceful, non-stinging companions 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 slow, gentle species that will not out-compete them for food. A species-only aquarium is ideal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with fast or boisterous fish, wrasses, tangs, aggressive or greedy feeders, stinging anemones and corals, and any predatory invertebrates. These will stress, sting, out-compete or injure the seahorses.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234149679395,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234149712163,"sku":"BA8795","price":140.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234149744931,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-16cm)","offer_id":55351951982883,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/White_s_Seahorse_Hippocampus_whitei_ef53d48f-7c90-4ec7-9c52-db1ccd0c4480.png?v=1781681463","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/white-s-seahorse","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}