New Caledonian Thorny Seahorse

This large spiny seahorse is distinguished by the having 17 dorsal fin rays; 17-18 pectoral fin rays; 11 trunk rings; 35-37 tail rings; subdorsal spines 3/0,1,0; moderately large nose spine, height about equal to pupil diameter; double spine above eyes which are moderately long, shorter than eye diameter; single lateral head spine; raised coronet with 4 large spines; restricted gill openings, not close together near the neck ridge; shoulder rings not confluent over neck ridge, not forming continuous collar; the upper shoulder ring spine opposite 11th pectoral fin ray; trunk and tail ridges with many large, curved spines; snout length approximately 57% of head length (Ref. 75989).

Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch (Ref. 205).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 17

Found in seagrass beds at depths of more than 6 meters (Ref. 75989).