THE GIANT SEAHORSE RETURNS
Continued...page 2 of 7.
Here it was soon joined by a companion of the same species, which, though somewhat smaller, is still very large for a seahorse. The second specimen was obtained by a Scripps expedition in Magdalena Bay, Baja California, which lies within the usual range of the species.These two specimens have ever since provided a spectacular little exhibit in the Scripps Aquarium. They have been kept, often with one of their close relatives, a local pipefish, in a well-lighted small aquarium, maintained at a temperature of about 74° F. They have thrived in this warm water, but are resistant to short periods of cold, and to rapid changes in temperature; during a recent malfunctioning of the aquarium heater they seemed unaffected by an overnight drop to 58°, with a rapid return to 76°. The success attained in handling these specimens may be due not only to the hardiness of the species, but also to the meticulous care accorded them by Monte Kirven, of the Aquarium staff. He has fed them at very frequent intervals on live brine shrimp (Artemia), and has trained them to take thawed-out frozen brine shrimp. The aquarium has been kept clear and pure by circulating the water, by compressed air action, through a subsand filter.

Hippocampus ingens is the only species of seahorse in the eastern Pacific. It is fairly common, especially in bays, from central Baja California to northern Peru. Until the subject of this article was captured, the northernmost