Brazilian seahorse
Hippocampus reidi
Also known as Longsnout seahorse, Slender seahorse, Reid's seahorse, Brazilian longsnout seahorse
SaltwaterFish
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
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Family
- Syngnathidae
- Origin
- Native to the western Atlantic from the Caribbean to Brazil, living among mangroves, seagrass and sponge on calm bottoms.
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.
Common questions
What size tank does a Brazilian seahorse need?
A Brazilian seahorse needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Brazilian seahorse need?
A Brazilian seahorse is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 8.0–8.4.
How big does a Brazilian seahorse get?
An adult Brazilian seahorse reaches about 6.7 in (17 cm).
Related species
7.1 in (18 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Lined seahorse
Hippocampus erectus
7.1 in (18 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
6.3 in (16 cm)30 gal (114 L)68–75°F (20–24°C)White's seahorse
Hippocampus whitei
6.3 in (16 cm) · 30 gal (114 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Yellow seahorse
Hippocampus kuda
7.9 in (20 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
1.4 in (3.5 cm)5 gal (20 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Dwarf seahorse
Hippocampus zosterae
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)
7.1 in (18 cm)20 gal (76 L)68–75°F (20–24°C)Gulf pipefish
Syngnathus scovelli
7.1 in (18 cm) · 20 gal (76 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)26 gal (100 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Bluestripe pipefish
Doryrhamphus excisus
2.8 in (7 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)