DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableinvertebrate · seahorse
Bargibant's pygmy seahorse
Hippocampus bargibanti
Two-centimetre seahorse that lives only on Muricella sea fans it perfectly matches.
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Quick facts
The Bargibant's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) is a marine species divers can encounter. Typical size: 1.4–2 cm. Usually seen at 15–30 m depth. Where to see it: Raja Ampat, Malapascua, Sipadan and Komodo.
Summarised from DIVE-SEEK's recorded catalogue data; omitted values are not yet recorded.
Taxonomic rank
species
Typical size
1.4–2 cm (height)
Maximum size
2.4 cm
Typical depth
15–30 m
Maximum depth
40 m
Conservation status
Research in progress
Photography difficulty
5 /5
Activity pattern
Diurnal.
Description
Listed under invertebrates in the working catalogue for grouping purposes although it is a fish; category may be revised. Accepted name confirmed via WoRMS (AphiaID 275187). Conservation status not populated pending a verified Red List reading.
Habitat
Muricella gorgonian sea fans on deep reef slopes.
Behaviour
Clings to a single host sea fan for life, matching its colour and tubercles exactly.
Diet
Tiny crustaceans.
Social behaviour
Pairs or small groups on one fan.
Photography notes
Deep, tiny, surging and usually facing away. Macro with a diopter, high shutter, minimum light exposure time on the animal.
Ask about Bargibant's pygmy seahorse
Answers are built only from our cited catalogue records — where data is missing, the assistant says so instead of guessing.
Where to see it
Destinations
Encounter records link species to destinations only when a verified source supports them.
Raja Ampat
Indonesia
Encounter likelihood: occasional
Malapascua
Philippines
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Sipadan
Malaysia
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Komodo
Indonesia
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Dauis
Philippines
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Ef Na
Indonesia
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Provenance — each verified claim is linked to its source as records are published.