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Large pale seahorse with a rounded belly and curled tail.

Potbelly seahorse

Hippocampus abdominalis
Where at Shedd?
Oceans Polar Play Zone
Diet Shrimp and other small crustaceans called zooplankton and zoobenthos
Size Common length: 7 inches (18 cm); Max length: 12.5 inches (32 cm)
Type Fishes
Range Southeast Indian and Southwest Pacific Oceans
Habitat Harbors, rocky bays

About the Potbelly seahorse

Also known as a big-belly seahorse, the potbelly seahorse is one of the world's largest seahorse species.

Did you know?

  1. Compared to most seahorse species, potbelly seahorses are relatively strong swimmers. They can swim hundreds of meters in the course of a day.
  2. Also known as a big-belly seahorse, the potbelly seahorse is one of the world’s largest seahorse species.
  3. Male potbelly seahorses have a bright smooth patch on their round stomachs. Compared to females, males have longer, thinner tails and dark splotches across their bodies.
  4. Males experience a pregnancy that lasts approximately four weeks before giving birth to a brood of about 300.

IUCN Red List Conservation Status

Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan®

This species is part of a program to support healthy, genetically diverse animal populations.