Hippocampus pontohi

(one of the smallest and rarest seahorse species on this planet)

Hippocampus pontohi has been classified (published in December 2008) as a new species in the seahorse family (Syngnathidae) after being discovered in 2003 by Hence Pontoh, a dive guide in the Bunaken Marine Park, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, where I took the below images on August 2008 at a depth of 16 meter.
This tiny seahorse just 1.4-1.7 cm in size, is often found closely associated with certain algae or hydroids jumping from one to the other.
The color variation ranges from white and yellow to red. It is extremely rare compared to H. bargibanti or H. denise.

Refer to the scientific article below for detailed explanations of H. pontohi and the other pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus
severnsi, Hippocampus satomiae).

Click here for other seahorse species on Alp Can Photo Portfolio.