Gozo continues to amaze us with its underwater wonders, and this latest sighting just provides more evidence! Local diving centre Dive Gozo recently captured an incredible encounter with a mature female spiny seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus) during one of their dives, and the images are magical.

This elusive marine creature is one of only three seahorse species found in the Mediterranean Sea. These seahorses are true masters of camouflage, often blending in with sea grass and coral thanks to their muted tones and bumpy skin – although this particular one was enjoying a bright yellow coat when the photos were snapped!

The spiny seahorse is easily recognisable thanks to its upright swimming posture, curved neck, and the little crown-like ‘coronet’ on top of its head. These enchanting creatures use their prehensile tails (i.e. ones capable of grasping) to anchor themselves to stationary objects like sea grass or coral branches, gently swaying with the tide.

But perhaps the most fascinating thing about seahorses is that the males are the ones who get pregnant! The female deposits her eggs (up to 1,500 of them!) into a pouch on the male’s belly. The male fertilises and carries the eggs until they hatch, giving birth to dozens of tiny, fully formed baby seahorses after a gestation period of up to 45 days.

While coming across a seahorse in the wild is an unforgettable experience, Dive Gozo reminded followers to respect these fragile creatures: ‘Please remember that it is illegal to use any type of artificial lighting on seahorses, including torches, strobes and flashes. Please don’t crowd around them or outstay your welcome. When the seahorse turns its back or drops its head, it’s time to move on.’

This gentle approach helps ensure that these unique marine animals remain safe, undisturbed, and hopefully, seen more often by lucky divers exploring Gozo’s pristine waters.

Have you ever spotted one of these underwater beauties?