Seahorse

Hi Guys,

Today I want to share a little bit what I know about Seahorse. You might be seen them while you’re scuba diving…

Seahorse is one species of the genus Hippocampus. Seahorses are often found in shallow tropical and subtropical climates throughout the world. Usually seahorses choose to live in the area of sheltered land as seaweed, coral reefs or mangroves.

There are three different species found living in the Mediterranean Sea: Hippocampus hippocampus (long snout), Hippocampus brevirostris (short snout) and Hippocampus fuscus (emigrated from the Red Sea).

Usually they are camouflaged by the color brown or gray patterns that blend with the murky background of green seaweed. In the moment of a particular social or unusual environment, seahorses can be brightly colored.

Seahorses do not have scales, but there is a thin skin stretched over their ribs a series of shaped like a ring. Each species has a different number of rings.

Seahorses swim upright; this is one of the special features held by pipefish (their close relatives) that swam horizontally. Seahorse is a poor swimmer. They do not have a caudal fin. Seahorses swim with the dorsal fin thrilling way for propellers, while the pectoral fin is behind their eyes is used as steering. Their snout is used to suck food. They also have a round eye shape and can move independently like a chameleon. Seahorse’s foods usually are small shrimp, small fish and plankton.

Seahorse men have bags that will be used to lay their eggs. When mating, the female seahorse will keep the eggs in the bag man. And then the male will bring and keep the eggs until they hatch and the eggs grow into adults.

Seahorse population is now estimated to have declined even started extinction. This is caused by overfishing and habitat destruction of seahorse. It’s because the sea horse has a high economic value. Seahorses can be used as pets in aquariums. In addition, sea horses are also used as traditional treatment methods in various countries in Asia, especially China.

So, as a citizen of underwater world, then we have to kept them exist in sea. So our grandchild still can see them in our beautiful ocean…

Remember to keep save diving!

Source: Wikipedia

Lionfish

Mostly lionfish are appearing in red and white zebra stripes, long and showy pectoral fins. The lionfish is also known as the Turkey Fish, Scorpion or Fire Fish. They are notable for their extremely long and separated spines, and have a generally striped appearance, red, green, navy green, brown, orange, yellow, black, maroon, or white.

The lionfish has various species and it can be found worldwide, especially in tropical sea. The common lionfish generally reaches a size of 30 cm to 35 cm (12 inches), while smaller lionfish, like the Fuzzy Dwarf, are typically the size of a tennis ball, not including fins. The largest of lionfish can grow to about 15 inches (0.4 meters) in length.

Usually, lionfish more behave to be defensive and not aggressive toward humans. They will almost always keep their distance with humans when given the opportunity, so they’re likely a relatively low risk.

The venom of the lionfish, delivered via an array of up to 18 needle-like dorsal fins, is purely defensive. When threatened, the fish often faces its attacker in an upside down posture which brings its spines to bear. In addition, their stings are not deadly, but they are very painful. If a human is envenomed, that person will experience extreme pain, and possibly headaches, vomiting, and breathing difficulties, but is rarely fatal.

Lionfish are hungry predators. Lionfish are tending to use camouflage and lightning-fast strategy when dealing with his enemy. When hunting, they corner prey using their large fins and then use their quick reflexes to swallow the prey whole.

Though Lionfish far more prized in the aquarium trade but they are also popular in some parts of the world as food.

Source: National Geographic and Wikipedia