They hunt their prey through the sense of sight, since their eyes move independently, therefore they are able to differentiate these small species, which usually are crustaceans that make up the zooplankton. "A seahorse has got to do what a seahorse has got to do" Pacific seahorses are always in competition for space to live, food and mates. They are also predators, by eating small crustaceans. Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) Pacific yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) Economical- Pacific seahorses are important to the international aquarium trade. But on the other hand, they are also prey for bigger fish (flatheads, tuna, rods, trumpeters, snappers and perches), rays, crabs, penguins and other birds that live near the water. Pacific seahorse Hippocampus ingens The only seahorse found off the California coast, it's one of the largest known species and can grow to a foot tall. Roger Hanson, a diver, holds his camera in Alamitos Bay in Long Beach. Hanson has seen and photographed the Pacific seahorse while diving recently in the bay. Ecological- Pacific seahorses are predators of small crustaceans and zooplankton, while also being a food source to other animals. ("Pacific Seahorses, Hippocampus ingens", 2013; Foster and Vincent, 2004; Lourie, et al., 2004; "Pacific Seahorse- On Exhibit: The Secret Lives Of Seahorses", 2013) Anti-predator Adaptations; cryptic; Known Predators. They may be hosts to parasites or fall victim to bacterial and fungal infections, particularly in captivity. Seahorses and seadragons, as well as pipefish and ribbonfish, are all in the family Syngnathidae, which contains more than 200 species.. The Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) is the only seahorse on the eastern Pacific coast, ranging from California to Peru. It's a "vulnerable" threatened species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). ON CONSERVATION A regularly updated mix of field notes, expert commentary, and miscellanea about marine conservation by the Project Seahorse team. Habitat Typically found in shallow waters with abundant vegetation Population Global: No data Status IUCN: Several species listed as Vulnerable or Data Deficient; 1 … The seahorse is known for being predator of small species of invertebrates.