During the mating process, the female seahorse deposits her eggs into a brood pouch located on the underside of the male's abdomen. The male then fertilizes the eggs and carries them until they are ready to hatch, providing them with nutrients and protection. The gestation period varies among seahorse species but can range from a few weeks to several months.
Once the eggs hatch, the male gives birth to live young, which are called "fry". The fry are fully formed and independent from birth and receive no further care from their parents. Both male and female seahorses can mate and reproduce multiple times throughout their lifespan.