The tiny pygmy seahorse was not discovered until 1969 due to its impressive camouflage (and minuscule size) which had, until then, kept it undetected by scientists. It was only when a new Caledonian scientist, George Bargibant was examining samples of gorgonian (Muricella sp.) fans on his dissection table that he noticed a tiny pair of seahorses. The following year, 1970, the seahorses were officially named as Bargibant’s pygmy seahorse (Hippocamus bargibanti).
Bargibanti pygmy seahorses are extreme habitat specialists, spending their entire adult life on a single gorgonian coral of the species Muricella paraplectana or M. plectana. Bargibanti’s are one of the smallest seahorse species in the world and only grow to around ¾ of an inch. They are able to change their coloration to blend almost entirely with their host fan. They also adopt “tubercles”, which are the warty like nodules on their bodies which closely resemble the buds of the fan. This species attaches itself to the fan by wrapping its prehensile tail around one of the branches to act as an “anchor”.
The size of these seahorses renders it impossible for them to survive alone. They are too small to handle currents and they are not strong swimmers – for this reason they are found living in close proximity to one another, with small colonies of up to 20 adults existing on a single fan.
The barigibanti’s snout and mouth size means it is not possible for them to consume large pieces of food so they exist on a diet of extremely small food particles brought to them directly by currents or which becomes caught on the fans outstretched branches. This species does not have a digestive system so they spend most of their time eating or resting. During mating they will ingest less than usual for a short period.
Bargibanti’s do not mate monogamously and may swap mates within the colony. Mating can occur all year round, providing they have a good supply of food and minimum stress. Great care must be taken when viewing and photographing any marine life but this species of seahorse is particularly susceptible to damage from poor diving and photography techniques. It is vital that neither the seahorses nor their gorgonian host are touched in any way – by human hand or diving or photography equipment. Excellent buoyancy is essential – if you’d like to work on your buoyancy while you are here, take a look at our PADI Courses. The PADI Advanced Open Water Course includes a Peak Performance Buoyancy dive, or if you are already Advanced, try the PADI Buoyancy Specialty to hone your skills.
The bargibanti mating process involves the females depositing eggs into the body of the male. Males have a “pouch” which allows them to carry the eggs up to the point where they are ready to be released. The male will usually carry the eggs for several weeks before giving birth to fully formed offspring. Did you know that the warmer the water, the faster the embryos develop and the shorter the gestation time? It’s true!
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This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media