What is unique about seahorse reproduction?

Answer 1

Seahorse reproduction is unusual because the male is the one that becomes pregnant. Seahorses are monogamous and will only mate with one partner. Monogamy is particularly rare for fish so this is yet another trait that makes the seahorse unique. Evidence suggests that this may be because when seahorses stays with one partner they get better at producing babies as a team. The male becomes pregnant when a female deposits her eggs into his pouch. The mating pair entwine their tails and the female connects a tube called an ovipositor to the male's pouch. Once the eggs are moved into the pouch the male then fertilizes them. While pregnant he monitors the salinity within the pouch to match the salinity of his environment. Each pregnancy lasts about two to three weeks and will vary depending on species.

Answer 2

Seahorses are unique in that the male carries and gives birth to the young. The female transfers her eggs to the male's brood pouch, where they are fertilized and hatch. The male then incubates the eggs until they are ready to be released as fully formed miniature seahorses.