White's Seahorse or New Holland Seahorse lives along Australia's eastern coastal waters or estuaries, where its prehensile tail anchors the animal to seagrasses and corals.
This species, usually in shades of brown or black, sometimes appears entirely yellow. It has pale markings on certain rings, enlarged tail spines, fine bars, and dusky lines on the snout that broaden near the eyes. The nasal spine and its surrounds are often pale.
During the day, it hunts small crustaceans, plankton, and other tiny marine creatures. Then, it returns to its resting spot at night.
White's Seahorse also performs a dance of love; males and females engage while changing colors. After mating, the males carry the eggs in a pouch until they hatch.
Endangered White Seahorses face significant threats from human activities, such as coastal development, pollution, and destructive boating practices. Recent reports suggest an alarming decline, over 90% in some areas, primarily due to marine habitat loss. These seahorses risk being listed as Critically Endangered if such trends persist.