Kuda Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda)

The Kuda Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), often sold as the common or yellow seahorse, is a larger tropical species that ranges from bright yellow through to near-black and can change shade to match its surroundings. Like all seahorses, the male carries the developing young in a specialized brood pouch through pregnancy — one of the only true examples of male pregnancy in the animal kingdom. They're slow, deliberate ambush feeders that can't compete with fast, aggressive tankmates for food, so they do best in a species-specific or seahorse-only setup with plenty of low-flow perching spots. Their prehensile tail anchors them to coral, macroalgae, or aquascape to hold position against current rather than swimming against it constantly.

Care level: Moderate · Temperament: Peaceful · Max size: ~7" · Min tank: 30 gal, species-only · Diet: Carnivore, frozen mysis + live foods