The Breeder’s Registry©Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be reproduced providing the Breeder’s Registry is cited.

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Breeder ID: HIPZOS-030697-MANJOH-002

Date received: 3/6/97

Identification: Hippocampus zosterae ( Jordan & Gilbert 1882 )

Geographic origin: Florida / Gulf of Mexico

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Taxonomy: (After I.C.Z.N)

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Subphylum Vertebrata

Class Osteichthyes Subclass Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei

Superorder Acanthopterygii Order Gasterosteiformes Suborder Sygnathiformes

Family Sygnathidae

Genus Hippocampus

Species zosterae (Jordan & Gilbert 1882 )

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Duration male(yr): 1

Size male (mm): 50

Duration female (yr): 1

Size female (mm): 50

Broodstock notes: Six (6) breeding pairs. Acquired from Aqualand Pet Center, P O Box 55-7365, Miami, FL 33255-7365

Physical differences: Brood pouch distinguishes male from female. Color varies in both sexes; grey, black, yellow, green and mixed

Adult diet: Artemia nauplii fed on “greenwater”. Heavy feeding in morning. Seahorse feed through out the day

Pre-spawning activity: Shortly after lights on male would swim towards female “displaying” by rap quivering of body and inflating pouch. Female would respond by swimming to female, inserting ovipositor into males pouch and transferring eggs.

Time spawning began: morning (0630)

Area spawning occurred: not indicated

Frequency of spawning: every 2 weeks

Egg description: live bearers

Egg changes / development: not observed, internally incubated

Incubation period: ~10 days

Size of hatching larvae: ~6 mm

Newly hatched appearance: Very slender body shape compared to adults. Active swimmers (during light period). Settle and grab holdfast.

Transfer / removal method: Removed after 24 hours with rigid dip-tube ( 25 mm diameter) for ease of feeding.

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Spawning tank size (liter): 56

Sides of tank covered? Yes, back painted black

Lighting & photoperiod: 2 40 watt full spectrum fluorescent, 15 hours. (Across both brood and rearing tank). ~5 cm from surface. Changed every 6 months.

Filtration: Undergravel filter (Lee’s® with adjustable lift-tubes) Marineland Penquin 110®

Additives and dosages: SeaChem® Marine Buffer, 1 teaspoon weekly. Coralife ASW (10% weekly)

Water temperature (F): 77

Specific gravity: 1.021

pH: 8.2

Nitrate: <20 ppm

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Fry development / changes: Growth steady; ~6 mm in length every 2 weeks. At 1 month the body shape resembles the adults.

First food offered: newly hatched Artemia . Sufficient quantity to last all day

Second food offered: Artemia nauplii fed greenwater at 2 weeks

Long term survival: 25%

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Rearing tank size (liter): same as adult system

Lighting & photoperiod: same as adult system

Filtration: Undergravel filter (Lee’s® with adjustable lift-tubes) Marineland Penquin 110®

Additives and dosages: SeaChem® Marine Buffer, teaspoon weekly

Water temperature (F): 77

Specific gravity: 1.021

pH: 8.2

Nitrate: < 20 ppm

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Comments: Tanks were side by side and shared lighting set-up

Original description: First described by Jordan & Gilbert 1882 and published in Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus. v. 5 (no. 282). Specimens collected at Laguna Grande, Pensacola, Florida, U.S.A.

Word origin: Hippocampus (Greek), a fabulous sea monster. hipp, -e, -o, =us, (Greek) a horse. camp, =us, (Greek) , a sea monster. zos, –m, -mer, -ter, (Greek) a girdle.

About this report: Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations. Taxonomy, Synonomy, Original description , Word origin and Suggested reading are provided by member(s) of The Breeder’s Registry staff. Information is presented under the belief that it is accurate. If you have information in addition to, or contrary to that presented you are encouraged to contact the Breeder’s Registry. Permission is granted for “one-time” personal use. Reproduction as distributed or accessible media is prohibited without prior written permission. All rights reserved. 1997