The Difference between Pygmy Seahorses

Posted on April 11, 2025April 19, 2025 by Annabel Thomas

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Pygmy Seahorses and Their Unique Characteristics

by Hafid, AMD-B’s 2025 Divemaster Intern

Pygmy seahorses are among the most fascinating and elusive creatures of the underwater world. With their tiny size and remarkable camouflage, they have intrigued marine enthusiasts and scientists alike. Found primarily in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, these seahorses have adapted to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, making them difficult to spot even by the most experienced divers. Below is a detailed exploration of popular species of pygmy seahorses and their distinctive features.

Hippocampus bargibanti

Hippocampus bargibanti is one of the most well-known pygmy seahorse species, first discovered in the waters of Indonesia. It has a minuscule size, measuring only about 2.5cm in length. This species is frequently found hiding within red or orange sponges, which provide perfect camouflage. Its unique ability to blend into its habitat makes it incredibly difficult to spot, despite its relatively abundant population.

Bargibant’s Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti)

Hippocampus satomiae

This species was discovered in the waters around Halmahera Island in Indonesia. It is tiny, measuring around 2cm, and often resides in brightly coloured sponges. H. satomiae is known for its body texture and colouration, which closely resemble the sponges they inhabit, providing excellent protection from predators.

Hippocampus denise

Known as Denise’s Pygmy Seahorse, this species is even smaller than H. bargibanti, with a length of about 1.5cm. They are typically found in smaller sponges or coral reefs, often with vibrant colours like pink or orange. Found at depths between 10 and 50 meters, they have a slim, textured body, giving them a distinct appearance compared to other seahorses.

Denise’s Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus denise)

Hippocampus colemani

Found in the waters around Australia and Papua New Guinea, H. colemani is a slightly larger and fatter pygmy seahorse species. With lighter colours, they often hide in contrastively coloured sponges or corals. These seahorses prefer deeper waters, usually between 30 to 40 meters in depth.

Hippocampus pontohi

One of the smallest pygmy seahorses, H. pontohi has a body length of just 1cm. They are typically found hiding in brightly coloured sponges, particularly pink ones. Their exceptional camouflage makes them incredibly difficult to spot, even in areas frequented by divers.

Also, Hippocampus severnsi known as Severn’s seahorse is a small, rare species found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for its distinctive appearance, it typically inhabits shallow coral reefs and seagrass beds. Like other seahorses, it feeds on small invertebrates. The H. severnsi was considered a separate species but is now recognised as a variation of the Pontohi.

Severn’s Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus severnsi)

The Importance of Pygmy Seahorses

Pygmy seahorses are fascinating not only for their size and camouflage but also for their role in coral reef health. All species rely on coral reefs and the shelter provided by sponges and other marine structures. Their small size and sensitivity to environmental changes make them important indicators of reef conditions.

As pygmy seahorses depend on healthy, undisturbed reefs, their presence or absence signals the reef’s overall health. With coral reefs threatened by acidification, habitat destruction, and climate change, protecting pygmy seahorse habitats is crucial for maintaining marine biodiversity. In short, pygmy seahorses are not only marvels of nature but also vital to the conservation of coral reefs and the broader marine ecosystem.

Why You Shouldn’t Feed Wild Fish?

Posted on February 28, 2025May 25, 2025 by Annabel Thomas

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6 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Feed Wild Fish

by Fahmi, AMD-B’s 2024 Divemaster Intern

Feeding wild fish might seem like a harmless activity, but it can have some unintended consequences for the fish and their surroundings. Whether it’s tossing bread into the water or offering food while snorkelling, feeding wild fish can change their natural behaviours, affect the environment, and impact the balance of the ecosystem. Here’s why it’s best to let wild fish find their own food.

Disrupting Natural Diets

Wild fish are adapted to eat what’s naturally available in their environment. When we introduce foods like bread or snacks, it can disrupt their diet and lead to nutritional issues. For example, bread doesn’t provide the nutrients fish need and can cause digestive problems. Over time, fish that are regularly fed by humans might start relying on these easy food sources, rather than finding their natural prey.

Spreading Disease

Feeding fish can also increase the spread of disease. When fish gather in one spot to eat, they’re more likely to come into contact with each other, which can lead to the spread of diseases and parasites. The food we provide might also introduce bacteria into the water, potentially affecting other marine life.

Disrupting Ecosystem Balance

Marine ecosystems rely on a balance between different species. Feeding wild fish can disrupt this balance. When fish populations grow because of feeding, it can lead to overgrazing of certain plants or a decrease in their natural prey. This imbalance can have effects that ripple through the ecosystem, affecting other species as well.

Changes in Behaviour

Fish that become accustomed to being fed by humans may start approaching people more often, expecting food. This change in behaviour can be problematic in some situations, especially if it affects the natural behaviour of the fish or leads to them becoming more dependent on human interaction.

Impact on Coral Reefs

Feeding wild fish in coral reef areas can be particularly harmful. Many reef fish help maintain the health of coral reefs by eating algae and keeping the ecosystem in balance. When these fish are fed by humans, their natural behaviour changes, which can lead to algae overgrowth that harms coral.

Legal and Environmental Considerations

In many places, feeding wild fish is restricted or not allowed due to the potential impact on the environment. Marine protected areas and conservation zones often have rules against feeding wildlife to help maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem. Respecting these rules supports the efforts of those working to protect these areas.

Coral Predators

Posted on January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 by Annabel Thomas

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Coral Predators

by Fahmi, AMD-B’s 2024 Divemaster Intern

Coral reefs are vibrant ecosystems, and like any environment, they have species that interact in different ways. Some creatures feed on corals as part of the natural balance of life on the reef. While it might seem concerning at first, this predation is usually just a part of maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Key Coral Predators

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS):
The Crown-of-Thorns Starfish is one of the most well-known coral predators. These spiny creatures feed on coral polyps, digesting the living tissue and leaving behind the skeleton. While they’re a natural part of the ecosystem, outbreaks can lead to significant damage to coral reefs.

Parrotfish:
Parrotfish are famous for grazing on coral. Their strong, beak-like teeth allow them to scrape away pieces of coral, which they digest and later excrete as sand. While this sounds harmful, they also help control algae, preventing it from overtaking the reef. In moderation, their coral consumption is part of the reef’s healthy balance.

Drupella Snails:
These small snails feed on coral polyps and can leave marks on the coral. They usually don’t cause widespread damage but can be a part of the natural predation cycle on reefs.

Butterflyfish:
These colorful fish feed on soft corals and polyps. Their impact is relatively minor, and they’re another example of how coral predation is part of the reef’s life cycle.

When Populations Get Out of Control

In most cases, coral predators are just a part of reef life. However, when their populations grow too large, they can cause significant harm. One example is the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish outbreaks. These outbreaks occur when the starfish population spikes, often due to factors like pollution or overfishing of their natural predators. During an outbreak, the starfish can consume large areas of coral, leaving behind dead coral skeletons.

Such outbreaks can severely weaken coral reefs, making them more vulnerable to other threats like climate change, ocean acidification, and storms. When the balance shifts too far, the reef can struggle to recover.