Dear hobbyist:
The pigmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) is not available to hobbyists and probably will never be available for the aquarium hobby. The new CITES regulations protecting the genus Hippocampus prohibit the importation or exportation of seahorses smaller than 4 inches in total length. Of course, this means neither aquaculturists nor home hobbyists can obtain the tiny H. bargibanti seahorses.
Even if that were not the case, it’s extremely unlikely that you would ever see H. bargibanti in the aquarium hobby because of its symbiotic relationship with Muricella spp. seafans. In all probability, in order to keep pigmy seahorses successfully you would also have to be able to culture and keep the deepwater seafans the pygmies are found in association with alive and well, which would be an equally difficult task in itself.
If you like miniature seahorses, Pixies or dwarf seahorses (Hippocampus zosterae) are probably the best that you can do. Fully grown adults are only about the size of your thumbnail, half of which is their tail, so H. zosterae is also truly tiny. Best of all, these miniature marvels are inexpensive, widely available, and have proven to be relatively easy to keep, breed, and raise in the aquarium.
Best wishes with all your fishes!
Happy Trails!
Pete Giwojna
Ocean Rider, Inc. is an Organic Hawaiian-Based Seahorse Aqua-Farm & Aquarium that Follows Strict Good Farming Practices in Raising Seahorses and Other Aquatic Life.
