Name: Jade Hoksbergen
Title: The Elusive Pygmy Seahorse
Category: Animals
Nationality: French – Taiwanese
Occupation: Underwater Photographer / Author / Mother

Jade says:
‘The smallest members of the seahorse family, pygmy seahorses, are tiny inhabitants of sea fans on coral reefs. This species, Hippocampus denise, just 2cm tall, is so carefully concealed that they were only discovered in 2003. Weak swimmers, pygmy seahorses spend their lives precariously, tail wrapped around their home gorgonian, plucking plankton bites from the water column as currents rush by.

The distended belly of this individual, found close to my home in Cebu, Philippines, suggests the presence of eggs. Pygmy seahorses have a prolific sex life during their short existence, with the males responsible for carrying, and releasing fertilised eggs. I spent several dives observing these fragile animals, and used a white slate, carefully positioned, to create an unusual canvas for this seahorse and habitat.’

Technical information
Nikon D7200
Nikkor 105mm
ISO 200
f/22
1/250sec
Accessories: Inon Z240 strobes, white slate
Post processing: Basic adjustments in Lightroom.

Website: jadehoksbergen.com
Instagram: jadehoksbergen