Seahorses are small, marine fish belonging to the genus Hippocampus, which means "horse caterpillar" in Greek. They are named for their horse-like head and have a unique upright swimming posture. Seahorses are known for their bony armor, prehensile tails for grasping objects, and lack of scales.<br /><br />They inhabit shallow tropical and temperate waters, often hiding among seagrass or coral reefs for camouflage. Unlike most fish, male seahorses carry and give birth to their young, using a specialized brood pouch. They are poor swimmers, relying on dorsal fins for propulsion and pectoral fins for steering. Due to habitat loss and overfishing, many species are considered vulnerable.
