Seahorses
Hippocampus erectus; Hippocampus reidi · Also called: lined seahorse, longsnout seahorse, Caballitos de mar
Protection: All seahorses are in CITES Appendix II, which controls international trade.[1]
Facts
- Two species are expected here. The lined seahorse is deep-chested, often with white lines on the neck; the longsnout seahorse is slimmer, with a long thick snout, a rounded crown, and can change color quickly to blend in.[2]
- They cling with the tail to seagrass, mangroves, sponges, corals or floating sargassum.[1]
- The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch until they hatch.[2]
Related guide: see the guide →
Where it's been reported (5)
From the sources on each dive site's page. Sightings are never guaranteed.
- Crash Boat · Aguadilla & Northwest“seahorses” (Crashboat Watersports (Aguadilla))
- Escambrón · San Juan & North Coast“seahorses” (Primera Hora)
- Figure Eight · San Juan & North Coast“seahorses” (Caribe Aquatic Adventures)
- Horseshoe Reef · San Juan & North Coast“seahorses” (Caribe Aquatic Adventures)
- Tres Palmas (Steps) · West Coast“green turtles, hawksbills, lobsters, seahorses, reef fish; occasional bottlenose dolphins; humpback whales in season” (Primera Hora)
Sources
- Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) species profile · Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Longsnout Seahorse (Hippocampus reidi) species profile · Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida (accessed 2026-10-22)
Last checked 2026-10-22