Courtship: Seahorses have elaborate courtship rituals that can last several days. The male seahorse will typically court the female by displaying his most vibrant colors and performing a series of dance-like movements. If the female is receptive, she will approach the male and allow him to fertilize her eggs.
Reproduction: Male seahorses have a unique brood pouch located on their abdomen. After the female seahorse lays her eggs, she will transfer them to the male's brood pouch. The male will then carry the eggs until they are ready to hatch, which can take several weeks.
Parenting: Seahorse fathers are very involved in parenting their young. They will protect the eggs and newly hatched fry from predators, and they will even provide them with food. The fry will stay with their father until they are strong enough to swim and feed on their own.
Diet: Seahorses are carnivores and feed primarily on small crustaceans, such as shrimp, plankton, and mysid shrimp. They use their long snouts to suck up their prey.
Habitat: Seahorses are found in tropical and temperate waters around the world. They prefer to live in shallow, sheltered areas with plenty of vegetation, such as seagrass beds and coral reefs.
Predation: Seahorses are preyed upon by a variety of animals, including fish, birds, and sea lions. They use their camouflage to avoid predators, and they can also swim very quickly when necessary.
Lifespan: Most seahorse species have a lifespan of around 1-5 years. However, some species can live for up to 10 years in captivity.