Definition & Meaning of "seahorse"

What is a "seahorse"?

A seahorse is a small, fish-like creature that belongs to the genus Hippocampus. It has a unique appearance, with a long snout, a horseshoe-shaped body, and a curled tail. Unlike most fish, seahorses have a bony exoskeleton and swim in an upright position. They are found in various coastal habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests. Seahorses are known for their remarkable ability to change color and blend into their surroundings, providing them with camouflage and protection from predators. They have specialized mouth that allows them to feed on tiny organisms by sucking them into their snout. Seahorses also exhibit an intriguing reproductive behavior, where males carry the fertilized eggs in a specialized pouch until they hatch.