POT-BELLY SEAHORSE Hippocampus abdominalis

One of the world’s largest seahorse species, the pot-belly lives among kelp and sponges, and also calls artificial structures such as jetties and shark nets home. Members of this species are considered rather promiscuous — mating with several different partners during the breeding season.

Size: 35 cm

Depth: 35 m

Distribution: Port Stephens, NSW, to Victoria 

RED SEAHORSE Hippocampus sp.

This elusive species, which has only been photographed in the wild a handful of times, is generally found in deep water where it hides among sponge gardens and black coral “trees”.

Size: 23 cm Depth: 35-plus m

Distribution: South-east Queensland to Port Stephens, NSW

ORNATE GHOSTPIPEFISH Solenostomus paradoxus

Travelling on the EAC, this tropical species is occasionally seen at Port Stephens and Sydney Harbour during the summer months. Find it among the branches of black coral and feather stars. Females of this species brood the eggs.

Size: 11 cm Depth: 35 m

Distribution: Point Quobba, WA, across tropical north to Shellharbour, NSW 

BEND STICK PIPEFISH Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus

This tropical species is recognised by its bent head and red or yellow colouring. You’ll find them living among sponges and soft corals in silty habitats. They make their way to Port Stephens on the East Australian Current (EAC).

Size: 40 cm Depth: 25 m

Distribution: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea to Africa, Japan and Australia (central coast WA, tropical north and south to Sydney) 

WHITE’S SEAHORSE Hippocampus whitei

Found among seagrass meadows, sponge gardens and soft corals, this shy species becomes more active in the summertime breeding season when animals pair up to mate; pairs have been found together over subsequent breeding seasons.

Size: 15 cm Depth: 20 m

Distribution: Large estuaries in the Sydney region and north to Forster, NSW 

THORNY SEAHORSE Hippocampus histrix

This intrepid traveller hitches a ride on the EAC to Port Stephens, and is appropriately named given the thorny appendages covering its body.

Size: 17 cm Depth: 20 m

Distribution: Indo-Pacific, mainly from Japan, Indonesia and the Coral Sea. Three specimens have been recorded in Port Stephens, NSW 

WEEDY SEADRAGAN Phyllopteryx taeniolatus

Endemic to southern Australian waters, this iconic species is a master of camouflage and is found drifting among kelp, one of its favourite habitats. After summer mating, a male carries up to 300 eggs on the underside of his tail. Young hatch 4-6 weeks later.

Size: 45 cm Depth: 25 m

Distribution: Southern Australian waters from Port Stephens, NSW, to Rottnest Island, WA 

EASTERN UPSIDE-DOWN PIPEFISH Heraldia nocturna

It’s difficult to tell which way’s up or down when looking at this unusual pipefish, which lives in caves and under ledges on rocky reefs. It typically swims upside down. Try a night dive to observe members of this species — it’s most active after dark.

Size: 8 cm Depth: 20 m

Distribution: NSW from Seal Rocks to Jervis Bay 

SPOTTED PIPEFISH Stigmatopora argus

Difficult to see lying along blades of seagrass — camouflaged from potential predators such as flathead, cuttlefish and octopus — this species is found in shallow estuarine waters, usually in pairs. It feeds on small crustaceans attached to seagrass leaves.

Size: 28 cm Depth: 10 m

Distribution: Southern Queensland to Tasmania and Shark Bay, WA