Lined Seahorse

Named for the fine pale lines that can appear on its cheeks and snout in some color phases, Hippocampus erectus is a Western Atlantic seahorse ranging from black and brown to yellow, orange and lavender. Like all seahorses it is a slow, weak-swimming specialist that needs low flow, a tall dedicated tank (≥16 in / 40 cm), and frequent enriched-mysis feedings — it will starve if outcompeted by faster tankmates. Captive-bred stock is well established and strongly preferred over wild-caught.