The Seahorse Is a Romantic, Slow-swimming Fish

The most common species in North and South America is the Pacific seahorse, distributed all along the west coast of both continents.

The most distinct group of seahorses, meanwhile, are said to be pygmyseahorses.

Seahorses are slow swimmers because their only way to propel themselves is a tiny dorsal fin in the middle of their backs.

The seahorse was thought to have mystical significance among the ancient Greeks , Europeans (alchemists) and Asians .

Ancient Greeks and Romans believed the seahorses were an attribute of the sea god Poseidon/Neptune.

Demand for seaorses in traditional medicine has grown like never before, with millions caught and sold to the medicine trade each year .

Seahorse Hotels are being used to house and breed endangered White's Seahorses in Australia .

Now That's Interesting Some of the oldest seahorse stories tell of the Greek sea god Poseidon galloping through the oceans on a golden chariot pulled by hippocampus, the beast that was half -horse and half -fish. It's thought ancient Greek fishermen believed the real seahorses they sometimes found tangled in their nets were the offspring of Poseidon 's mighty steeds. Original article: The Seahorse Is a Romantic, Slow-swimming Fish Copyright 2025 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings , LLC , a System1 Company.