Seahorse

Scientific name: Hippocampus abdominalis

Maori name: manaia, hinamoki, kiore moana

Description
The large-bellied seahorse is a bony fish closely related to pipefish and seadragons. This species is found all around New Zealand and in southeast Australia. It occurs down to a depth of 100 m, usually amongst seaweeds, sponges and artificial structures, using its prehensile tail to cling on. Seahorses are voracious feeders, eating mainly crustaceans, such as shrimps, and other small animals living among the seaweed. They can reach 30–35 cm in length and live for at least 5–10 years. The very pronounced abdomen (belly) of the New Zealand species distinguishes it from other seahorses. In all seahorse populations it is the male who nurtures the developing eggs in his brood pouch until the fully independent juveniles hatch and are released from the pouch.