The world's smallest seahorse

May 12, 2003 2:02 PM

The world's smallest seahorse. 'The creature, to be known as Hippocampus denise, is typically just 16 millimetres long - smaller than most fingernails. Some were found to be just 13 mm long. '
posted by plep (8 comments total)

Sea horses are really neat, and i am always entertained when people talk about how 'adorable' they are, as they are particularly efficient ambush predators. It's hard to think of something as being adorable when you've just watched to vaporize a shrimp with one snick of it's snout.

But then, it's hard not to be forgiving of something that looks like this.
posted by quin at 3:47 PM on May 12, 2003

And yet they are adorable in that vicious, predator type way. Makes me want to strap on the ol tanks and go diving.
posted by Plunge at 4:14 PM on May 12, 2003

They're adorable in that they look like those crispy yummy noodles in Chinese restaurants, as t r a c y mentioned to me earlier (though, in retrospect, she probably didn't mention it to make me hungry). Mmm...seahorses!
posted by catfood at 4:46 PM on May 12, 2003

It really is amazing how many sea critters are being discovered lately. From the deep sea leviathans to the puniest predators, it's all fantastic. I just saw a live mud skipper, and those little things are amazing. I think they breathe air, and they don't swim, but actually skim across the top of the water. Anyway, I digress.

Thanks plep.
posted by hama7 at 4:56 PM on May 12, 2003

i am always entertained when people talk about how 'adorable' they are, as they are particularly efficient ambush predators.

I know what you mean, but I'd call my cat adorable and she ain't bad at catching mice ...
posted by Utilitaritron at 6:33 PM on May 12, 2003

It's hard enough to find regular sea horses when diving, unless you really know where to look. I've only seen a few, and those were pointed out to me. Trying to find really tiny creatures is tough, and especially ones that hide themselves so well. The undersea world is so amazing, and man is really just touching the surface of what's down there.
posted by Eekacat at 7:17 PM on May 12, 2003

Trying to find really tiny creatures is tough, and especially ones that hide themselves so well.

My wife keeps several seahorse tanks and i am constantly amazed by their ability to camouflage themselves. They aren't quite the masters that octopi are, but they are impressive nonetheless. i frequently find myself looking at what i think is a piece of coral when it will suddenly unhitch itself and start swimming around the tank looking for food.
posted by quin at 11:52 PM on May 12, 2003

Awwwwwww, cuuuuuuuuuute. Thanks plep!
posted by sennoma at 9:02 AM on May 13, 2003