Seahorses face welfare challenges both in wild capture for the traditional medicine trade and in aquarium keeping. Understanding their complex needs is essential for both individual welfare and species conservation.
Seahorse welfare in captivity is frequently compromised by fundamental mismatches between their complex needs and the conditions provided by inexperienced keepers. Their requirement for live or high-quality frozen food, specific water movement parameters (minimal current), appropriate tank mates, and pair or group social housing makes them unsuitable for most marine aquarium setups. Wild-caught individuals have poor captive adaptation compared to captive-bred seahorses, making source verification critical for both welfare and conservation. In the traditional medicine trade, seahorses are typically dried without prior slaughter, creating significant welfare concerns. Captive breeding programmes and sustainable aquaculture sourcing offer the most welfare-positive supply alternatives.