Dunia Ya Uzuri

This is like an overdose on cuteness! The Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) is a tiny seahorse, measuring in at less than 2 cm (0.79 in). These cuties inhabit the western central Pacific Ocean, and live exclusively on fan corals. Pygmy Seahorses can be recognized by their distinct size and the tubercles coming off of their bodies, which helps them to blend in with the fan coral and hide from predators. Since they have prehensile tail and remarkable camouflage, it’s nearly impossible to spot one..In fact, they weren’t discovered until a scientist had been studying the gorgonian coral these seahorses inhabit. It was then that he discovered a seahorse on this branch of coral he was studying!

Adult Bargibanti’s Seahorse can normally be found in pairs of clusters of up to 28 seahorses on a single branch of gorgonian. They may be monogamous but it’s not known for sure yet. Breeding is all year-round, and as most other seahorses, it’s the male that will give birth. Gestation lasts about 2 weeks, and the fry is independent from birth. 

Photo credit: Mike Hohman