Hippocampus cameleopardalis

Scientific Name: Hippocampus camelopardalis Bianconi, 1854 Common Name(s): Giraffe seahorse; kameel-seeperdjie and kroon-seeperdjie Synonyms: Hippocampus cameleopardalis Bianconi, 1854 (synonym); Hippocampus cameleopardalus Bianconi, 1854 (synonym) Hippocampus subcoronatus Günther, 1866 (synonym) Description: High rounded coronet that slopes backwards. Eye spines prominent. Some individuals have a spine in front of the coronet. Dark eye-like spots often visible on trunk rings 1,4 and 7; spot may also present on the base of the coronet. A “crab-like” face is created when H. camelopardalis bends forward in seagrasses as a protection from predators. Male may have a small keel. Rounded spines on tail rings supporting the pouch in males.