Just 50 years ago, the Thames River was declared biologically dead. High amounts of pollution from industrialization and mass urbanisation, had literally killed the river. Now, after nearly 2 decades of conservation efforts, the Thames River is slowly making a come back; with over 120 species of fish now calling the Thames River their new home. One new comer stands out from the rest, the short-snouted seahorse. Scientifically defined as the Hippocampus hippocampus, the short-snouted seahorse was first discovered in the Thames back in 2006. However, the Zoological Society of London kept this rare finding under wraps, awaiting legislation’s decision to put the species under the protection of the Wildlife and Conservation Act of 1981.

So what makes this little seahorse so special? The short-snouted seahorse has previously only been found in deep waters around specified locations, and off the coast of France, Spain, and in the Mediterranean. The presence of these seahorse in the Thames River is a sign that the water quality is greatly improving, and that the Thames River will indeed make a come back as a flourishing and diverse community of underwater inhabitants.

For more information and the complete article on the Thames River Seahorse Findings; and to sneek a peak at this fabulous little finding visit:

 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1659