Description
Orange Seahorse – Hippocampus kuda
Hippocampus kuda, commonly known as the Orange Seahorse or Spotted Seahorse, is a graceful and delicate species admired for its vivid orange to golden coloration and gentle demeanor. Found in shallow coastal seagrass beds and coral rubble zones, this species uses its prehensile tail to anchor itself to vegetation while feeding on drifting plankton and small crustaceans. Calm and slow-moving, it is best suited to peaceful, species-specific aquariums.
Origin: Indo-Pacific – from the Red Sea and East Africa to Indonesia, Fiji, and southern Japan
Depth: 1–30 m (3–100 ft)
Lighting: Low to moderate; avoid intense illumination
Flow: Low, with gentle laminar current to allow stable feeding behavior
Tank Placement: Mid to lower regions; requires artificial hitching posts or branching macroalgae
Temperature: 74–78°F (23–26°C)
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
pH: 8.1–8.4
Diet: Carnivorous – feeds on live or frozen mysis shrimp, copepods, and enriched planktonic foods; requires multiple small feedings per day
Temperament: Peaceful; best kept with other seahorses or small passive tankmates
Size: Up to 17 cm (6.5 inches)
Care Level: Advanced – sensitive to high flow, aggressive feeders, and fluctuating water parameters
Compatibility: Ideal for dedicated seahorse systems; avoid fast or boisterous species and stinging corals
