Hippocampus subelongatus

Scientific Name: Hippocampus subelongatus Castelnau, 1873

Common Name(s): West Australian seahorse; Tiger-snout seahorse

Synonyms: Hippocampus angustus (non Günther, 1870) (misapplied name); Hippocampus elongatus Castelnau, 1873 (synonym)

Description: High, pronounced and fluted coronet. Some female specimens have points on the coronet that are absent on males. A long slender snout with tiger-like stripes. Specimens may have saddles, lines and spots on the head, trunk and tail. Prominent nose, cheek and eye spines. Body spines are low and rounded. Trunk becomes wider with age especially in females. Colouration is variable and includes white, cream, yellow, orange, brown, red, grey and purple.