Nemo the Hawaiian Seahorse

11 Jul, 2013

A strikingly patterned seahorse discovered by a fish collector in Hawaii. Image courtesy Pacific Island Aquatics

A very unusual seahorse was recently collected by an aquarium diver in Hawaii.  The seahorse is currently residing with Kevin Rezendes of Pacific Island Aquatics, an e-tailer of Hawaiian and other Indo-Pacific fish based in Oahu, Hawaii.

Image courtesy Pacific Island Aquatics

First shared privately, Rezendes wrote, “A local diver sent me this pic a few minutes ago and asked if I thought this was an ocellaris or a percula seahorse…I’ve never seen this coloration before here in Hawaii. Seeing there is only two species in Hawaii, we believe its a Hippocampus kuda. Thought I’d share. Aloha!”

Image courtesy Pacific Island Aquatics

Dubbed “Nemo the Hawaiian Seahorse”, the water pony does bear a striking color resemblance to the classic orange, black and white clownfish.  Staff opinion is divided on which clownfish species (Amphiprion ocellaris, or A. percula) is more embodied by this strikingly unique species.

Late Wednesday, Rezendes filled in a few more details for us – “Nemo” the Hawaiian Seahorse was found “by Andy Walters on the east side of Oahu in shallow water.”  The fish is currently being held in the full salinity invertebrate systems at PIA.

Image courtesy Pacific Island Aquatics

Speculation is already running rampant about this fish. It remains to be seen whether it will be offered for retail sale, or if it may find its way through other channels to breeders or the scientific community.  The hunt is on to see if there are any more like it in the vicinity.

Image courtesy Pacific Island Aquatics

Of course, as most seahorse keepers will tell you, whether or not this unqiue coloration will be retained in captivity remains to be seen.  We can only hope.

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