HippocampusThe genus Hippocampus belongs to the family Syngnathidae, order Syngnathiformes, class Osteichthyes, phylum Chordata and kingdom Animalia. The Hippocampus genus is made up of more than twenty different species of seahorses (Beltran). They preferably live in coral reefs or seagrass beds where they can easily camouflage themselves to avoid predators. They are found primarily in tropical or temperate shallow-water areas of the world's oceans. Seahorses are closely related to sea dragons, pipefish, and flag-tailed pipefish (seahorses). Although seahorses are similar to their relatives, they have many different characteristics that the relatives do not have. Seahorses are distinctive species that possess the most unique characteristics of all marine fish. One of the differences between seahorses and other fish is their appearance. Seahorses have a body of bony plates arranged in rings and covered with thin skin up to the tail, which curls towards the body. Their heads look like horse heads with a long tube-shaped snout and large eyes. At the end of the snout is the mouth, which they use to get food. On top of their head is a crown unique to each individual. Finally, only male seahorses have a pouch in front of their stomach. Although all seahorse species share the same basic morphological characteristics that are not shared by other marine fish, they are different in size, number of rings on their bodies, and colors (seahorses). Seahorses also behave in unique ways. themselves. One of their uniqueness is their vision. Unlike other marine animals, seahorses' eyes move independently of each other, making them aware of their surroundings...... middle of paper ...... Marsden, Karl L. Evans , Laila M. Sadler. "Temporal and spatial opportunities for polygamy in a monogamous seahorse, Hippocampus whitei". Brilliant. Behavior, vol. 141, n. 2 (February 2004), pp. 141-156. March 20, 2011. Gardiner, N. “Hippocampus erectus.” Animal diversity web. 2001. March 21, 2011Hashikawa, M. and W. Fink. "Hippocampus kuda". Animal Diversity Web.2004. March 20, 2011Irey, B. and W. Fink. "Hippocampus zosterae." Animal diversity web. 2004. March 20, 2011. “Seahorses.” Allthesea.com. March 20 2011.