Post by ncboman on Jun 22, 2006 16:33:13 GMT -5
The Seahorse has long enjoyed a special status with people. Western records of it date back to both the Ancient Greeks and Romans. In fact, the name for the seahorse genus, Hippocampus, is of Greek derivation, with hippos meaning horse and campus meaning sea monster.
The seahorse gets its name because of its general look. Whereas most fish swin in a horizontal position, the seahorse positions itself vertically. It bends its head and sticks out its snout, giving it the semblance of a horse. It also bends its prehensile tail and uses it as an anchor to steady itself.
Notwithstanding looks, the seahore is a true fish that lives in tropical or semi-tropical waters around the world. They are associated with coral reefs, sea grasses and mangroves. In fact, if you have ever waded in knee deep water anywhere on the coast of the Chesapeake Bay down through Florida or the Gulf Coast where there is coral, grass or mangroves, you've probably come close to one.
Most experts currently identify around 35 different species of seahorses, however, they also expect that increased research will result in the identification of more species.
One of the most amazing facts about the seahorse is that the males are the ones to get pregnant. Yes, you read that right, the male gets pregnant. In the seahorse world, the female is responsible for depositing her eggs into a pouch on the male, who then fertilizes them and carries them to term. Once they are born, baby seahorses are on their own.
Seahorse eyes are another fascinating feature. They move independent of each other. One can be looking at the back and one can be looking at the front. This helps them spot food or enemies easier. Many seahorse species also can change color, as camouflage to protect them from their marine enemies.
Unfortunately, not all seahorse enemies are other marine species. Starting in the 1990s, concerns about worldwide seahorse populations started to grow. The simple fact is that seahorses became too popular with humans. Experts have estimated that different species have declined anywhere from 25% to 75% because of their exploitation for medicinal uses, aquarium pets and souvenirs.
To address the issue of declining seahorse populations, seahorses were listed in Appendix II of CITES, the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species, which means that permits are required for anyone who exports them. Currently Florida is the only state in the United States that allows seahorse harvesting for export.
Who buys these seahorses? According to the U.S. Government, "The largest importers for dried seahorses are China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, with an estimated annual consumption of 45 tons (16 million seahorses) in Asia. Seahorses are sold as whole, dried animals for preparation into tonics. There has been a recent increase in numbers of seahorses used in prepared medicines (pills) in Asia, possibly in response to decreases in size of individuals obtained in fisheries catch. Seahorses are also used in traditional medicines in Indonesia, the Philippines, and India, and at least eight seahorse medicines are now sold in North America.
Dried seahorses are also utilized as curios with a high availability in beach resorts and shell shops around the world.
Live specimens for aquarium pets are exported primarily to North America, Europe, Japan, and Taiwan. Five species are preferred for aquaria, including four Indo-Pacific species in the Hippocampus histrix complex and H. kuda complex, and one North American species, H. erectus. Virtually all aquarium seahorses come from the wild. Seahorses are highly unsuitable aquarium fishes, and few survive in captivity."
Finally, habitat destruction is also a problem for seahorse populations. Humans like to live in coastal areas and human development and pollution encroach on traditional seahorse habitat. Man made problems like global warming also tangentially affect seahorses since global warming has been linked to dying coral reefs, traditional seahorse habitat.
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The seahorse gets its name because of its general look. Whereas most fish swin in a horizontal position, the seahorse positions itself vertically. It bends its head and sticks out its snout, giving it the semblance of a horse. It also bends its prehensile tail and uses it as an anchor to steady itself.
Notwithstanding looks, the seahore is a true fish that lives in tropical or semi-tropical waters around the world. They are associated with coral reefs, sea grasses and mangroves. In fact, if you have ever waded in knee deep water anywhere on the coast of the Chesapeake Bay down through Florida or the Gulf Coast where there is coral, grass or mangroves, you've probably come close to one.
Most experts currently identify around 35 different species of seahorses, however, they also expect that increased research will result in the identification of more species.
One of the most amazing facts about the seahorse is that the males are the ones to get pregnant. Yes, you read that right, the male gets pregnant. In the seahorse world, the female is responsible for depositing her eggs into a pouch on the male, who then fertilizes them and carries them to term. Once they are born, baby seahorses are on their own.
Seahorse eyes are another fascinating feature. They move independent of each other. One can be looking at the back and one can be looking at the front. This helps them spot food or enemies easier. Many seahorse species also can change color, as camouflage to protect them from their marine enemies.
Unfortunately, not all seahorse enemies are other marine species. Starting in the 1990s, concerns about worldwide seahorse populations started to grow. The simple fact is that seahorses became too popular with humans. Experts have estimated that different species have declined anywhere from 25% to 75% because of their exploitation for medicinal uses, aquarium pets and souvenirs.
To address the issue of declining seahorse populations, seahorses were listed in Appendix II of CITES, the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species, which means that permits are required for anyone who exports them. Currently Florida is the only state in the United States that allows seahorse harvesting for export.
Who buys these seahorses? According to the U.S. Government, "The largest importers for dried seahorses are China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, with an estimated annual consumption of 45 tons (16 million seahorses) in Asia. Seahorses are sold as whole, dried animals for preparation into tonics. There has been a recent increase in numbers of seahorses used in prepared medicines (pills) in Asia, possibly in response to decreases in size of individuals obtained in fisheries catch. Seahorses are also used in traditional medicines in Indonesia, the Philippines, and India, and at least eight seahorse medicines are now sold in North America.
Dried seahorses are also utilized as curios with a high availability in beach resorts and shell shops around the world.
Live specimens for aquarium pets are exported primarily to North America, Europe, Japan, and Taiwan. Five species are preferred for aquaria, including four Indo-Pacific species in the Hippocampus histrix complex and H. kuda complex, and one North American species, H. erectus. Virtually all aquarium seahorses come from the wild. Seahorses are highly unsuitable aquarium fishes, and few survive in captivity."
Finally, habitat destruction is also a problem for seahorse populations. Humans like to live in coastal areas and human development and pollution encroach on traditional seahorse habitat. Man made problems like global warming also tangentially affect seahorses since global warming has been linked to dying coral reefs, traditional seahorse habitat.
web page
