Seahorses – Creature Feature

January 20th, 2025 • uwt

Seahorses – Charismatic Yet Frustrating

Seahorses

The humble seahorse is high on the list of encounters for scuba divers. Many people have fond memories from childhood of seahorses as they are a popular character in kids books and cartoons. As an adult, the chance to see a seahorse in the wild for the first time creates a true sense of childhood excitement for many. But what exactly is a seahorse? Is it a fish? Is it something else? Where can they be found and can divers encounter them?

One of the largest misconceptions of the seahorse is the fact that “yes!” it’s a fish. Due to its funny shape and behavior many people think its not a fish at all. As they are so different looking than others. The seahorse lives in a small genus called “hippocampus”, there are 46 different species included in the genus and they are found in many areas of the world. This genus includes all seahorses from pygmies to the largest species.

Pygmy Seahorses

Seahorses mainly live in protected waters such as sea grass beds or shallow coastal shorelines. They are found in tropical and sub tropical areas but can be found in some colder areas such as southern England. They range in size from less than a centimeter in length to over 35cm. These fish are some of the only species that swim vertically through the water column. They can use their prehensile tail to attach themselves to different surfaces in order to stay in one location. This helps them stay in position to camouflage themselves or remain in place when feeding.

Seahorses in Indonesia

We encounter all kinds of seahorses in Indonesia, from the tiniest pygmy to more ordinary thorny seahorses. Popular areas to find them include Komodo, Raja Ampat, the Lembeh Strait and Bali. However, they can be found throughout the archipelago. The most common habitat for big seahorses tend to be shallow sandy slopes or rubble environments. Pygmy seahorses on the other hand are found on seagrass or seafans anywhere from 5 meters to more than 40 meters of depth. Indonesia is home to over 30 different species of these shy sea creatures.

Orange

Seahorses are one of the most frustrating subjects for underwater photographers. Shy at best and downright rude at worst, seahorses are possibly the least cooperative fish in the sea. No matter a pygmy or regular sized variety, these sought after subjects hate to look toward the camera. Every photographer who has encountered one of these charismatic creatures knows the feeling of frustration when the horse turns away. Right when you think you have snuck up and framed it perfectly, the wily fish will turn awayas you are depressing the shutter button! Seahorses certainly offer a lesson in patience but the rewards are worth it when a great photograph is taken.

(Do note that pygmy seahorses can be quite deep and divers must always be careful of bottom time when photographing them.)

Swimming

Photographing Seahorses in the Lembeh Strait

Are you interested in photographing seahorses? Why not join us in the Lembeh Strait at NAD Lembeh Resort in July 2025? The straits are home to an abundance of pygmy and regular sized seahorses and they can be found on almost every dive. As an added bonus we are conducting an Underwater Photography Workshop from the 18-26th of July 2025. If you are interested in a great dive trip with a fun group of people please Contact Us today.

 



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