Black Seahorse

Seahorse Hippocampus kuda

Sea horses (unlike land horses) can change their color. This particular fellow chose black or dark brown, with white spots and gold trim for this moment. I am guessing that he is male from a brood pouch on his lower abdomen, and that he is a common seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) rather than another of the many species in the Philippines. I like the fuzz on his snout and chest, which looks to me like tiny hydroids.

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