Macro
Spotted Seahorse
Hippocampus kuda
A stout, variably coloured seahorse of shallow seagrass, silty bottoms and estuarine reef across the Indo-Pacific. One of the six Hippocampus species Marine Conservation Cambodia has recorded in the Koh Rong archipelago. Heavily taken for the dried-seahorse and aquarium trades, and IUCN lists it Vulnerable.
- Max size
- 17cm
- Habitat
- Seagrass beds, silty slopes and sheltered rubble, usually shallower than 20m; holds onto weed and debris
Best places to dive with Spotted Seahorse
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Hippocampus kuda is scientifically recorded around Phu Quoc, particularly on eastern seagrass and soft-bottom habitat. Routine coral day boats do not target the strongest survey sites, so sightings on recreational dives are occasional rather than reliable.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | rare |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Marine Conservation Cambodia has recorded six Hippocampus species in the Koh Rong archipelago — H. spinosissimus, H. kuda, H. histrix, H. trimaculatus, H. kelloggi and H. mohnikei — and identified a seahorse hotspot at one small island. Most records come from seagrass and survey work rather than recreational dives, so finding one on a normal fun dive is unlikely.
Sources & last checked
Checked August 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- Hippocampus kuda — IUCN Red List, IUCN Red List
- Seahorses in Cambodia, Marine Conservation Cambodia