Head to head
Harlequin Ghost Pipefish vs Seahorse
Harlequin Ghost Pipefish
VS Seahorse
The harlequin ghost pipefish is a relative of seahorses and pipefish, sharing a tube-like snout and bony body, but it reverses the best-known seahorse trait, with the female rather than the male carrying the eggs.
| Harlequin Ghost Pipefish | Seahorse | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Solenostomus paradoxus | Hippocampus kuda |
| Who carries the eggs | The female, in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins | The male, in a brood pouch |
| Camouflage | Mimics seagrass, dead leaves, or feather stars | Blends in by anchoring to seagrass and coral |
| Movement | Often hangs head-down, swaying with the current | Among the slowest fish, with a dorsal fin beating up to 35 times a second |
| Tail | Not a gripping tail | A prehensile tail with no fin, used to anchor |
| Size | Around 10 cm | Around 17 to 30 cm |
| Diet | Sucks in small shrimp-like crustaceans such as mysids | Tiny crustaceans such as copepods and mysid shrimp, sucked in whole |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Harlequin Ghost Pipefish vs Seahorse: common questions
Which carries the eggs, a ghost pipefish or a seahorse?
In the harlequin ghost pipefish the female carries the eggs in a pouch formed by her enlarged pelvic fins, while in the seahorse it is the male who carries them in a brood pouch.
Are ghost pipefish related to seahorses?
Yes, ghost pipefish belong to a family closely related to seahorses and pipefish, sharing a tube-like snout and bony, plated body.
Which is more threatened, the harlequin ghost pipefish or the seahorse?
The seahorse species Hippocampus kuda is classified as Vulnerable, while the harlequin ghost pipefish is Least Concern, though it is seldom seen.