鬼马海龙（Solenostomus paradoxus）是一种小型海龙科鱼类，是海马的近亲，以其在印

y slender body is laterally compressed, with a profile reminiscent of a seahorse or pipefish. It measures between 10 and 12 cm. Its long, tubular snout ends in a tiny mouth, adapted for sucking in small prey. It often remains motionless, hanging upside down, which makes it look like a piece of gorgonian, black coral or crinoid. Its colouration is extremely variable; it is a combination of red, orange, yellow, brown and black, with spotted and marbled patterns. Some individuals are very dark, whilst others are almost translucent, particularly among juveniles. It lives near organisms whose shapes and colours it mimics: gorgonians, black coral, hydraids, crinoids, algae and plant debris. It can adjust the intensity of its colour to suit the habitat, thereby improving its camouflage. It is often seen alone or in pairs. The female is larger than the male. Her pelvic fins are fused into a large ventral brood pouch used to carry the eggs; in the male, the pelvic fins are slender and free. The female incubates the eggs in this pouch until hatching, ensuring the protection of the clutch. The juveniles are translucent. It is a very stealthy ambush predator; it remains motionless, head down, amongst the branches of a host organism and sucks in small prey that come within reach.