Seahorses are some of the rarest animals in the world. These curious beings are fish, although very poor swimmers. It is due to the strange shape of its body, with a head similar to that of horses and a prehensile tail. They are covered by a very hard skeleton, in which spines and even a crown can appear. Perhaps for this reason they were called Hippocampus, which means “sea monster horse”
In addition to their unique appearance, these fish stand out for their unique reproduction. Its gestation and birth are some of the most interesting and strange events in the animal kingdom. Do you want to know how seahorses are born? So, don't miss this article on our site, in which we tell you in detail how these animals reproduce.
What are seahorses?
Before knowing how seahorses are born, we must ask ourselves what exactly these animals are. This is the genus Hippocampus, which includes a 44 species of Actinopterygian fish Among other things, this means that they have spines insideHowever, these curious fish have adapted to a very particular way of life: they live at the bottom of the sea, hidden among corals, rocks and underwater plants.
Their shape and ornamentation allow them to camouflage themselves perfectly. In this way, they not only protect themselves from their predators, but also surprise their prey. Seahorses are carnivorous and voracious predators They feed on small animals that live suspended in the water. Small crustaceans, annelids, cnidarian larvae or fry are some of the prey that seahorses eat.
But these fish are not the only ones that have these characteristics, but the whole family. We are talking about the syngnathids (Syngnathidae), a group that also includes pipe fish and sea dragons. All of them share a similar morphology and way of life, as well as a very special reproduction that we are going to see now.
How do seahorses reproduce?
Seahorse reproduction begins with the search for a mate. These fish have sexual reproduction and must look for an individual of the opposite sex in order to have offspring. Most seahorses are seasonally monogamous, that is, they are faithful to a single mate throughout the entire breeding season. Some even remain monogamous throughout their lives. Very few species are polygamous and have several pairs in the same season.
The courtship of seahorses is based on a very elaborate dance. The male and female intertwine their tails and begin to perform pirouettes, as if they were dancing. Some species even change color while dancing This courtship allows both sexes to check the he alth status of the other, as well as their reproductive capacity and fidelity. In this way, if both consider the contrary a good couple, they will have offspring together and will repeat this dance every day to strengthen their relationship.
Unlike most fish, seahorses do not fertilize externally, but perform a strange copulation. The female has a very large ovipositor that serves to introduce her ovules into the male's pouch. It is a kind of abdominal bag in which fertilization occurs and the eggs are formed. During their growth and development, the eggs incubate inside the pouch of the male, who protects them until birth. But how are seahorses born? Let's see it!
Birth of the seahorses
Seahorse gestation lasts between two weeks and a month, although it depends on each species and the water temperature. When the time comes, the proud father goes into labor. It usually occurs at night and can last for several hours. The male stands in an open spot and begins to push, pumping his offspring outwardsThis is how seahorses are born: they are propelled from their father's pouch into the water.
The juveniles look very much like their parents, although they are about 10 millimeters long. Unlike adults, they are very good swimmers. They do not receive any kind of parental care, but are completely independent of their parents.
How many babies do seahorses have?
Most males give birth to between 100 and 200 young, although this depends on the species and the environmental conditions. Some small species have fewer than 10 offspring at each birth. The largest ones, on the other hand, can give birth to more than 1,500 babies Despite this, most of them will not reach adulthood, since the newborn ponies Hatchlings are an exquisite delicacy for many marine animals.
What do newborn seahorses do?
Newly hatched seahorses are planktonic. They are part of the animal component of plankton (zooplankton), that is, they swim adrift in seawater There, they feed on other tiny animals that sail suspended in the ocean, usually crustaceans such as krill and copepods. Therefore, like their parents, baby seahorses are carnivorous.
When they are born, they have a soft skeleton made of cartilage, which makes them very vulnerable. In addition, the zooplankton of which they are a part is the main food of many animals, such as cetaceans. For this reason, very few of the hatchlings survive to adulthood. Those that do, dedicate themselves to feeding and growing. Little by little, the cartilage transforms into bone, so that, when they are only a month old, they already have the characteristic skeleton of adults, with bony rings, spines and crowns.
Finally, when the seahorses reach a suitable size, they return to the bottom of the sea. To do this, they look for a suitable place to camouflage, feed and, of course, reproduce.
How are seahorses born? Explanation for children
Seahorses are very special fish. In addition to their curious appearance, these animals reproduce in a rather rare way. Their babies form inside their father's belly, in a kangaroo-like pouch. The mother introduces the eggs there and the male is in charge of protecting them, keeping them warm until they hatch.
When the babies are ready, their dad starts to push them out into the water This is how seahorses are born, hundreds or thousands of little seahorses starting to swim in the ocean. There they will live their own adventures until they grow up and become adults. When this time comes, they will return to the bottom of the sea, where they will find a mate and have their own young.
