Brazilian seahorse
Hippocampus reidi
Also known as Longsnout seahorse, Slender seahorse, Reid's seahorse, Brazilian longsnout seahorse
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)
- pH
- 8.0–8.4
- Adult size
- 6.7 in (17 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal (110 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Origin
- Native to the western Atlantic from the Caribbean to Brazil, living among mangroves, seagrass and sponge on calm bottoms.
- Family
- Syngnathidae
Overview
Provide a tall species tank of at least 110 litres with gentle flow and many hitching posts, at 22 to 27 C and pH 8.0 to 8.4. Choose captive-bred fish, keep them in pairs or groups, and feed enriched frozen mysis shrimp once or twice daily. Keep only calm, slow tankmates and avoid fast fish, stinging anemones and aggressive corals. Good water quality and low bacterial load are critical, as seahorses are prone to skin and gas-bubble problems.
In the wild
The Brazilian seahorse is a slender, long-snouted seahorse famous for its bright colours, often appearing in vivid yellow, orange or red with fine dark speckling. It has a long, thin body and grips decor with its curling tail. Captive-bred fish are among the most colourful and most available seahorses in the hobby.
Good to know
Hippocampus reidi reaches around 17 cm and is prized for how strongly it holds warm colours like yellow and orange. Males brood the eggs in a belly pouch and can release well over a hundred fully formed fry at once. It is a tropical species that prefers warmer water than the lined seahorse.
Did you know
The Brazilian seahorse can flush an intense lemon-yellow or orange when courting or when it settles into a favourite spot, which makes captive-bred individuals some of the brightest seahorses you can keep.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Brazilian seahorse?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Lined seahorse
Hippocampus erectus7.1 in (18 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Yellow seahorse
Hippocampus kuda7.9 in (20 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Dwarf seahorse
Hippocampus zosterae1.4 in (3.5 cm)5 gal (20 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Bluestripe pipefish
Doryrhamphus excisus2.8 in (7 cm)26 gal (100 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Banded pipefish
Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus7.5 in (19 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Bellus Angelfish
Genicanthus bellus7.1 in (18 cm)85 gal (320 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)