Pygmy Seahorse
Hippocampus bargibanti
Sighting evidence at Maumere Bay WWII Wrecks, Flores
Photo: Julian Hsu · CC BY-NC
Bargibant's pygmy seahorses live exclusively on Muricella gorgonian fans, and Maumere's wrecks support dense gorgonian growth that hosts some of the highest densities of these tiny animals found anywhere in Indonesia. Males brood eggs in a pouch visible even at their 2cm adult size, and experienced guides can locate multiple individuals clinging to a single fan. The wrecks' sheltered position within Maumere Bay allows the delicate gorgonians to reach exceptional size, creating ideal habitat.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Pygmy Seahorse is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.