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West Australian seahorse

Hippocampus subelongatus

West Australian seahorse© FishBase (CC BY-NC)

The West Australian seahorse (Hippocampus subelongatus) is a small marine/brackish fish known for its elongated body and prehensile tail. It inhabits seagrass beds and mangrove roots and is prized by photographers rather than anglers.

Fight
Taste
Inedible/Protected

Basic Information

Family

Syngnathidae

Max Size

20 cm

Habitat

marine, brackish

Depth Range

0-25m

Climate

tropical

Best Season

Spring and summer (September‑February)

Best Time

Early morning and late afternoon

Distribution

Select a map type to show distribution on the globe.

Fishing Tips for West Australian seahorse

  • Use ultra‑light gear (1‑2 lb test line) to avoid spooking the fish
  • Drift slowly over seagrass or mangrove roots with a tiny hook and a live mysid shrimp or copepod bait
  • Keep the hook size no larger than #24 and use a fine, transparent leader
  • If a seahorse bites, lift gently and use a soft‑mesh hand net to land it without damage

Top Fishing Locations for West Australian seahorse

Dampier Archipelago

Australia
intermediate75% Very Common

A remote reef system with abundant seagrass beds where West Australian seahorses hide among macroalgae, popular among dive‑fishing enthusiasts.

Best: May-September

Ningaloo Reef

Australia
beginner60% Common

World‑renowned reef offering shallow lagoons and clear visibility; seahorses are frequently sighted on the reef flats.

Best: March-June

Christmas Island

Australia
expert75% Very Common

Isolated island with pristine coral habitats; targeted seahorse tours report high catch rates during the warm season.

Best: November-February

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Australia
intermediate45% Occasional

Remote atolls with extensive lagoon habitats; seahorses are present but require careful search among the reefs.

Best: April-August

Lembongan Island, Bali

Indonesia
beginner30% Occasional

Tropical island reefs with abundant soft corals; West Australian seahorses have been recorded in the western currents.

Best: June-September

Ari Atoll, Maldives

Maldives
intermediate20% Uncommon

Luxury dive sites with rich biodiversity; occasional sightings of the species make it a bucket‑list target.

Best: January-March

Market Prices

Recommended Fishing Equipment for West Australian seahorse

Recommended Equipment

RodUltra‑light spinning rod, 2‑3 ft, fast action
Line1‑2 lb test monofilament or fluorocarbon
Lure TypeN/A (live bait preferred)
TechniqueGentle slow drift with a light hook and hand‑net retrieval

Best bait: Live mysid shrimp, copepods or small planktonic crustaceans