Dwarf Seahorse

Protected Status

CITES Appendix II

Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Length

1 inch

Lifespan

1 year

Threats

Habitat loss, Oil spills and energy exploration, Harvesting

Region

Southeast

About the Species

The dwarf seahorse is the third smallest seahorse species in the world. It is found in seagrass beds in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), the Atlantic Coast of Florida, and the Caribbean.

Population Status

The dwarf seahorse is not listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Read the 2020 Status Review Report (PDF, 90 pages)

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Actinopterygii
Order	Gasterosteiformes
Family	Syngnathidae
Genus	Hippocampus
Species	zosterae

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/19/2025

Management Overview

In July 2020, NOAA Fisheries determined that the dwarf seahorse does not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act.

Regulatory History

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents

12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Dwarf Seahorse as Threatened or Endangered under the Endangered Species Act

We, NOAA Fisheries, announced a 12-month finding and listing determination on a petition to list the dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. We have completed a status review of the dwarf…

Notice

National

Published

July 28, 2020

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/19/2025

Documents

Document

Population Viability Analysis of the Dwarf Seahorse in Florida

Technical memorandum provides a population viability analysis that evaluates the status of dwarf…

Southeast

Document

Proceedings of the International Workshop on CITES Implementation for Seahorse Conservation and Trade, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-OPR-35 Workshop Date: February 3-5, 2004

National

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/19/2025