Vulnerable· population decreasing· assessed 2017

Pacific Seahorse

Hippocampus ingens

Sighting evidence at Lagunillas Reef, Paracas

Photo: Ulises Infante · CC BY-NC

Pacific seahorses are the signature species at Lagunillas Reef, gripping kelp fronds with prehensile tails and using camouflage to disappear among the swaying vegetation. The largest seahorse species in the world at up to 30 centimetres, H. ingens is critically endangered range-wide and the protected Paracas Reserve is among its most secure habitats. Attentive guides can locate multiple individuals per dive, and pregnant males carrying young are periodically observed.

Evidence at this site

0 records within 25 km

Confidence: low

No date on file

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites

Vicente Roca Point→