Satomi's pygmy seahorse
Hippocampus satomiae
Sighting evidence at Weda Bay Reefs, Halmahera
Among the tiniest vertebrates on earth at barely 1.4 cm, Satomi's pygmy seahorse was formally described in 2008 from specimens collected in Indonesian waters including the Halmahera region. It associates with Muricella and Annella sea fans in moderate depths, and its minute size means most divers swim past dozens without realising. The species name honours Satomi Onishi, a dive guide who first brought the specimens to scientific attention — a reminder of how citizen science and dive operator knowledge drive taxonomic discovery in remote Coral Triangle sites.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Satomi's pygmy seahorse is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.