Why does the male seahorse have a pouch?

Male seahorses have a pouch because they are the ones who carry the eggs and give birth to the young. The female seahorse lays her eggs into the male's pouch, where they are fertilized. The male then carries the eggs until they are ready to hatch, which can take several weeks. During this time, the male provides the eggs with oxygen and nutrients, and protects them from predators. Once the eggs are ready to hatch, the male seahorse will release them into the water.