Scuba diver discovers giant seahorse in Galapagos Islands

The Pacific seahorse, also known as the giant seahorse, is the largest species of seahorse. Their name (Hippocampus) comes from the Greek word hippos, which means "horse" and campus, which means "sea monster. This is the only seahorse species found in the eastern Pacific Ocean. These seahorses can reach 30cm (12 in) in height. Pacific seahorses can be a variety of colors, including green, brown, maroon, grey, and yellow. Males can be distinguished from females by their prominent keel.[6] Pacific seahorses, like other seahorses, have a prehensile tail used for anchoring. Unlike most fish, they have skin instead of scales, a digestive tract without a distinct stomach, no teeth, and the ability to move each eye independently. They are under the great threat due to unsustainable levels of harvest and international trade. South America, in particular Peru, is the home of the most illegal trade of Pacific seahorses. Females seahorses deposit their eggs in the brood pouch of the male, where they are fertilized by the male and sealed into the pouch. Pacific seahorse males can brood up to 2000 eggs at once, and may brood multiple times in a breeding season. At the end of the fourteen day gestation period, the male goes into labor and must force the young out of the pouch one at a time, which sometimes takes hours. Habitat loss and destruction pose a threat to Pacific seahorses as humans destroy and pollute their habitats. Commercial fishing also poses as threat to Pacific seahorses. Fisherman often catch and kill them in their nets. Chinese medicine is one of the main risks to the Pacific seahorse. They are one of the most vulnerable fish populations in the world. Pacific seahorses account for the majority of species identified in Chinese medicinal markets around the world. Giant Pacific seahorses eat small organisms that live on the bottom of the sea such as small crustaceans and plankton. Like most seahorses, Pacific seahorses ambush their prey. They camouflage in their habitats and wait for their prey to pass. They then suck their prey in and swallow it whole. They have no teeth to chew.

[carolynnunes]

I love seahorses! They are so beautiful!
I praise God for His amazing Creation! Hallelujah!

[schen]

🦜It's ashame as everything else under the sea, that we humans are destroying the beauty of life for our own greed 😠.
I was in awe to see this seahorse and hope it's still living 🤔🖖🏻

[princessking]

I wonder if that's a pregnant male seahorse

[sirrenn]

Wow!! I don't think I've ever seen a video of a seahorse before...

[UlfhedinnNorsk]

Was it sleeping or on drugs? Reminds me a north Philly resident wrapped around a light pole.😂