A googley eyed cutie from Lembeh. Pygmy seahorses are such fun to watch. I think a lot of photographers miss out on their antics, by thinking they must shoot, shoot, shoot, when actually the most memorable images come from watching and waiting for the seahorses to be ready for their close up. Hopefully with a funny expression like this one had.
Pygmy seahorses grow to an average size of 0.55 to 1.06 inches (1.4 to 2.7 cm).2 Bargibant’s pygmy seahorse grows to a maximum length of 0.94 inches (2.4 cm) and has rounded tubercles on its body that matches the color and shape of its host gorgonian coral. This species is usually one of two colors: purple with pink tubercles or yellow with orange tubercles, depending on the host gorgonian’s color. A single gorgonian can be home to up to 28 pairs of Bargibant’s pygmy seahorses.1
Pygmy seahorses, including Bargibant’s, presumably feed on small crustaceans, but more research is needed to confirm the genus’ feeding habits.3
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Like all other seahorses, pygmy seahorses give birth to live young. Breeding pairs of Bargibant’s pygmy seahorses are possibly monogamous. Males brood the eggs in a pouch for about two weeks1 before giving birth to upward of 34 young. Newborns are each a mere 0.07 inches (2 mm) long.4
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