Hippocampus whitei
Photo: Malcom Nobbs
What to look for
A small seahorse holding on with its tail to a sponge, soft coral, seagrass or the netting of a harbour swimming enclosure. Colours range from pale yellow to dark brown, and they can change colour to match their surroundings. They mostly stay within a small home range, so once one is found it’s often seen on the same spot for months.
Endangered and protected
White’s seahorse is listed as endangered in NSW, mainly because of the loss of the soft corals, sponges and seagrass it lives on. Look but never touch, don’t move them for a photo, and keep your fins well clear of the bottom and the nets.
