Seahorse, the name sounds like a type of horse, and it looks a lot different from what we think of as fish, but in fact, it is a fish that lives in the ocean. Seahorses have similar characteristics to fish, such as using gills for breathing. Their body organs are similar to those of fish, including caudal fins, anal fins, and pectoral fins. From the head to the tail, the seahorse's whole body exhibits the characteristics of a fish.
Seahorses are unique in that their scales have changed. The scales of ordinary fish are flaky, while the scales of the seahorse become plate-shaped. This change makes the seahorses stand out in appearance, but still does not prevent them from living in the water.
The caudal fin of the hippocampus has also undergone significant changes. In general, the tail fin of fish plays a role of propulsion and direction control, but the tail fin of the hippocampus is completely degraded. This change makes one wonder how seahorses swim and live in the water. The answer lies in the hippocampus's spine. Compared to other fish, the seahorse's spine has evolved to be more unique. Their spine becomes like a monkey's tail and can curl and swing. This special structure allows the seahorse to flexibly hook on objects in the water, thus fixing the body position. This ability gives seahorses a great advantage in finding food and avoiding predators.
Although seahorses share many of the characteristics of fish, they have also undergone some unique changes in their evolution. These changes have made the seahorse unique among fish, making it a charismatic creature. Although seahorses differ from fish in the traditional sense, they still belong to the fish family.