Body form
Small marine fish with a spiny or thorny appearance.
Seahorses and PipefishesVulnerable
Spiny Seahorse
Hippocampus histrix
The spiny seahorse (Hippocampus histrix) is a small, spiny-bodied marine fish of the family Syngnathidae native to the Indo-Pacific and listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
thorny seahorse
Last Updated Mar 9, 2026 · 3 sources
Species Guide
What to know about spiny seahorses
A clean field guide focused on habitat, identification, behavior, and conservation context without burying the useful parts.
The spiny seahorse, also called the thorny seahorse, is a small marine fish in the family Syngnathidae. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region and is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Bequia, Padangbai and Candidasa and countries such as Indonesia, Cambodia, French Polynesia for divers building trips around spiny seahorses.
Identification
How to identify spiny seahorses
The visual markers divers can use underwater, plus the species most likely to cause confusion.
Key identification markers
Family
Member of the family Syngnathidae (seahorses and pipefishes).
Conservation
What is happening with Spiny Seahorses
Status, pressure, and protection context grounded in cited sources rather than filler.
Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
Responsible Encounters
How to dive with spiny seahorses
Conservation-minded guidance for divers who want the encounter without adding pressure.
Give spiny seahorse space, avoid blocking the animal's path, and follow local site and operator rules for wildlife interactions with seahorses and pipefishes.
Field Notes
Interesting things worth knowing
Useful species context that makes the encounter more meaningful once you are underwater.
Field notes
Native range
Native to the Indo-Pacific region.
Taxonomy
Scientific name is Hippocampus histrix; also called the thorny seahorse.
Top Destinations
Top destinations to see spiny seahorses
Destinations surfaced from the linked dive spots associated with this species.
Top Countries
Top countries for spiny seahorses
The strongest country-level starting points currently linked to this species.
Top Dive Spots
Top dive spots for spiny seahorses
Directly linked dive spots where this species already shows up in the planning data.
Archi - Prateria di Spirografi
Shore-entry spirograph meadow in Archi
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Cathedral
Steep Bequia drift reef for experienced divers.
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Coral Garden, Menjangan
Coral Garden, Menjangan: easy reef diving in West Bali
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Corral
Muck and night-diving bay on Koh Rong Samloem.
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Jetty, Tanah Ampo
Macro muck dive beneath an abandoned Bali dock.
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Les Éboulis
Shallow Tahiti lagoon dive with coral blocks and macro life.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Clear planning and conservation answers written for search visibility and AI retrieval.
Research Sources
Spiny Seahorse information sources
Primary and credible references behind the field-guide and conservation claims on this page.
Sources 3Last Updated
Spiny seahorse · Encyclopedia · Wikipedia
Primary wildlife guide source.
Spiny Seahorse · Encyclopedia · Britannica
Supporting wildlife source.
Hippocampus histrix · Taxonomy · WoRMS
Taxonomy reference.
Related Species
More in Seahorses and Pipefishes
Related species guides in the same encounter family.
