Fisheries and trade of seahorses, Hippocampus spp., in southern India

Abstract

Seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) are in much demand for traditional medicines and curios in dried form, and as aquarium fish when alive. Shallow seas abundant in sea grasses, sponges and corals characterise the natural habitats of the seahorses (Vincent 1994, 1995). All seahorses (Syngnathidae) belong to one genus Hippocampus. There are about 33 species of seahorses worldwide (Lourie, Vincent & Hall 1999; Lourie & Randall 2003). Seahorses are unique in their reproductive behaviour, in which the males become pregnant. The male fertilises and broods the eggs produced and deposited into its pouch by the female during courtship and mating, and in turn delivers the hatchling, after a long period of pregnancy and labour. Most species of seahorses studied so far show unique sexual fidelity and form faithful pair bonds (Vincent & Sadler 1995), in which case one male and one female mate repeatedly and exclusively giving up opportunities to interact with non-partners.