{"id":12184,"date":"2026-02-17T23:10:04","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T23:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/product\/seahorse-kuda-hippocampus-kuda\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T23:10:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T23:10:05","slug":"seahorse-kuda-hippocampus-kuda","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/?product=seahorse-kuda-hippocampus-kuda","title":{"rendered":"Seahorse Kuda Hippocampus Kuda"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spotted Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

(Also known as the Common Seahorse, Estuary Seahorse, or Yellow Seahorse)<\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Spotted Seahorse is one of the most widespread and well-known members of the Hippocampus<\/em> genus. It is named for its variable yellow, brown, or black coloration<\/strong> often marked with small white or dark spots<\/strong>. Growing to around 15\u201317 cm (6\u20136.5 inches)<\/strong> in length, H. kuda<\/em> is hardy, adaptable, and suitable for dedicated seahorse aquariums. Its calm behaviour, graceful swimming, and adaptability make it a popular choice among both new and experienced seahorse keepers.<\/p>\n

Origin<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Found throughout the Indo-Pacific region<\/strong>, including the Red Sea, East Africa, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and northern Australia. It inhabits shallow lagoons, seagrass beds, mangroves, and coral rubble zones<\/strong>, preferring calm, sheltered environments.<\/p>\n

Feeding<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Spotted Seahorse is a carnivorous ambush feeder<\/strong>, relying on excellent eyesight to snatch small live prey. Captive-bred individuals adapt readily to frozen foods, while wild-caught specimens may require live enrichment. Ideal foods include:<\/p>\n

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    Frozen mysis shrimp (staple)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Enriched live brine shrimp (occasional supplement)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Live copepods and amphipods for natural enrichment<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Small frozen plankton or cyclops for variety<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Feed 2\u20133 times daily<\/strong>, using gentle target feeding or a feeding station to ensure they receive adequate nutrition.<\/p>\n

    Tank Mates<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Very peaceful<\/strong> and best housed with calm, slow-feeding companions. Suitable tank mates include:<\/p>\n

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      Other seahorses (similar size and species)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Pipefish and dragonets<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Gobies and blennies (non-aggressive species)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Cardinalfish, firefish, and small reef-safe fish<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Cleaner shrimp, snails, and small hermits<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Avoid aggressive or competitive feeders such as tangs, wrasses, triggers, or dottybacks.<\/p>\n

      Aggression<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Completely peaceful.<\/strong> They can be kept singly, in pairs, or small groups. Pairs often form lasting bonds, performing daily courtship displays. Males carry eggs in a brood pouch until giving birth to fully formed young.<\/p>\n

      Experience Level<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Intermediate.<\/strong> Hardy and adaptable, especially in captive-bred form, but still requires stable water parameters, regular feeding, and a gentle-flow environment.<\/p>\n

      Water Parameters<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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        Temperature:<\/strong> 23\u201326\u00b0C (73\u201379\u00b0F)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        pH:<\/strong> 8.1\u20138.4<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Salinity:<\/strong> 1.020\u20131.025 SG<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Hardness (dKH):<\/strong> 8\u201312<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Tank Size:<\/strong> Minimum 30 gallons (115L)<\/strong> for a pair; 50+ gallons<\/strong> preferred for groups<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Provide gentle flow<\/strong>, numerous hitching posts<\/strong> (gorgonians, macroalgae, or artificial coral branches), and shaded areas for resting.<\/p>\n

        Reef Compatibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        Reef safe with caution.<\/strong> Will not harm corals or invertebrates, but should be kept in peaceful, soft coral or macroalgae-based reefs<\/strong>. Avoid anemones, large LPS corals, or hydroids that can sting or trap seahorses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Spotted Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) (Also known as the Common Seahorse, Estuary Seahorse, or Yellow Seahorse) Overview The Spotted Seahorse is one of the most widespread and well-known members of the Hippocampus genus. It is named for its variable yellow, brown, or black coloration often marked with small white or dark spots. Growing to around 15\u201317 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":12183,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[124],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-12184","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-sea-horse-pipe-fish","8":"first","9":"instock","10":"taxable","11":"shipping-taxable","12":"purchasable","13":"product-type-simple"},"group_of_quantity":0,"min_quantity":0,"max_quantity":"","exclude_order_quantity_value_rules":"no","exclude_category_quantity_rules":"no","combine_variations":"no","exclude_global_add_ons":[],"addons":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product\/12184","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12183"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_brand&post=12184"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_cat&post=12184"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_tag&post=12184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}