Syngnathids' prey includes small crustaceans such as mysid shrimp. All syngnathids have similar body plans. Their long, thin bodies are covered by a series of overlapping bony plates. This armor is effective protection, but makes movement difficult.
Many fish flex their bodies from side to side to move through the water.
Two small, ear-like pectoral fins located on their head provide stabilization and steering. Because syngnathids are poor swimmers they seek shelter among seaweeds, seagrasses or corals. Syngnathid eyes move independently, enabling animals to track prey with one eye and watch for predators with the other. Longsnout Seahorse Hippocampus reidi Another feature that members of this family share is the unusual incubation process. The female produces the eggs, but the male carries them in or on his body until they hatch.