This species of seahorse native to Japan, belongs to the family Syngnathidae. The Japan pig is another name for it. The following characteristics separate this species apart from its congeners: 28 tail rings, 4 sub dorsal rings, 9 pectoral fin rays, and 14 dorsal fin rays. A unique triangular bony mound dorsally on the second, third, and fourth trunk rings, with the posterior mound being less evident, forms an elevated dorsal ridge, and a big and noticeable spine protruding laterad on the eighth lateral trunk ridge creates bilaterally paired wing-like protrusions.
Its Latin name is Hippocampus japapigu and it measures just 15mm in length. The creature was found around 178 miles (287 kilometers) south of Tokyo. The ‘Japan pig’ is one of seven known species of pygmy seahorses worldwide. Despite their small size, the color of the animal is spectacular, researchers said
Habitat
It inhabits the Northwestern Pacific, close to Japan, and can be found there at depths of 5 to 22 meters, though it is typically found at 10 to 13 meters. It does not share its habitat with any other species in particular, preferring to cling to algae turfs on subtropical reefs.
Feeding
Its jelly bean-sized size and colors are ideal for hiding in reefs with algae growth, clinging to soft corals. As well feeding on plankton.
Description
It has 9 pectoral fin rays, 14 dorsal fin rays, 28 tail rings, 4 sub dorsal rings, and 9 pectoral fin rays. Its length is 1.6 cm. Its jelly bean-sized size, vibrant colors, and ability to cling to fragile corals make it the perfect hiding place for plankton-eating fish on reefs with algae growth. Unlike other species, it only has one pair of wing-like protrusions on its neck. Additionally, it has the only bony ridge down its back of any seahorse in the entire planet.
Biology
This species wasn’t connected to any specific hosts. It has been seen growing among mixed soft coral, hydroids, and Halimeda sp. (a type of coralline algae) on rocky reef walls and big boulders in both exposed and semi-sheltered areas.
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