Hippocampus guttulatus

Long-snouted Seahorse

Hippocampus guttulatus Cuvier, 1829 or Long-snouted Seahorse (EN), Cavalo-marinho-de-focinho-comprido (PT), Caballito de Mar (SP), Hippocampe Moucheté (FR), Cavallucio marino (IT), Μακρύρρυγχος ιππόκαμπος (GR), Langschnäuziges Seepferdchen (DE) or Fläckig Sjöhäst (SE) is one of the two native European seahorses. It can be recognised by its long-snout and brown body adorned with white spots. In Europe, it´s range extends from the coast of Germany and the Netherlands, encompassing the British Isles, to the Mediterranean and Black Seas. 

This seahorse has a diverse carnivorous diet, consuming mainly small crustaceans such as Amphipod, Isopod, Copepod, Decapod and Mysid. However, it can prey on a myriad of other organisms as long they fit in its mouth. H. guttulatus adults inhabit shallow inshore waters, typically among seaweeds. Adults have small home ranges, probably due to their low swimming abilities. Researchers showed that if this seahorse is transferred to a different location, they can engage in long travels until they find the same home conditions (not necessarily the same home from where they were moved).