Identification
Permissions for Use
© Jeffrey N. Jeffords. Please remember that all photographs by Jeffrey N. Jeffords appearing on the Animal Diversity Web are copyrighted, and may not be used in any form, even on the Internet, without a licensing agreement. Exception: teachers and educators using the material in a classroom setting, students using this material for school assignments; or anyone for personal, non-commmercial use, such as screen savers. Unauthorized usage is a violation of the Federal Copyright Law. E-mail me for permission to use at this address: 
seaslugs@hotmail.com
Location
aquarium specimen, not recorded
The pot-bellied seahorse, also known as the big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis), is one of the largest of all seahorse species, growing up to 32 cm (12.6 inches). Both males and females appear bloated in the abdomen compared to other seahorses. The male (on right side of photo) has a very prominent, light-colored abdomen, typically looking as swollen as males of other species in the latter stages of pregnancy. Their skin texture appears very smooth in comparison to most other species. Other examples of sexual dimorphism include heavier markings on the male, a shorter, thicker snout, and a proportionally longer tail than the female.
Jeffrey N. Jeffords (photographer, copyright holder, identification)
