Fish of the Year 2025: Spotlight on Seahorses at SEA LIFE London

The EUAC (European Union of Aquarium Curators) Marine Teleost Taxon Advisory Group has officially designated the seahorse as their Fish of the Year 2025, highlighting the Syngnathidae family (European long-snouted and short-snouted seahorses) as ambassador species to raise awareness and promote marine conservation. Their campaign continues last year’s focus on the Banggai cardinalfish, reinforcing EUAC’s goal for annual educational outreach.

SEA LIFE London: Proud Supporters Since Day One

SEA LIFE London enthusiastically supports EUAC’s Fish of the Year initiative. In 2024, our team celebrated the Banggai cardinalfish as part of the campaign, and in 2025, we are proudly promoting the seahorse. Our commitment to these annual campaigns demonstrates SEA LIFE’s dedication to conservation education, in tune with EUAC’s goals.

Seahorses at SEA LIFE London

At SEA LIFE London, seahorses remain one of our most enchanting exhibits. Our displays showcase both short-snouted and long-snouted seahorses, allowing visitors to observe their delicate tails, curious eyes, and male pregnancy first-hand. Our interps and educational materials help guests connect with the story of these extraordinary creatures and the conservation issues they face.

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Spotlight on the Seahorse Hotel Conservation Project

The SEA LIFE TRUST (our charity arm) collaborates closely with SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, the NSW Department of Primary Industries, and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science on a pioneering Seahorse Hotel Conservation Project. These “seahorse hotels” are artificial habitats made from metal frames that become colonised by algae, sponges, and soft corals and are placed in Sydney Harbour to help restore habitat for the endangered White’s Seahorse (Hippocampus whitei).

More than 350 baby seahorses bred in captivity have been released into these artificial reefs, making it the world’s largest seahorse rewilding effort. Early monitoring shows positive results: around 20% were still using the hotel one year after release, and 10% were pregnant in the wild. The program continues annually, with increasing hotel deployments and community involvement.

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Why This Matters: Education, Conservation, Engagement

• Ambassador species like seahorses help convey broader messages about marine habitat loss, over‑fishing, and climate change.
• Interactive education: posters and live displays at SEA LIFE  London Aquarium engage families, schools, and visitors in marine stewardship.
• Global collaboration: EUAC, EAZA, Project Seahorse, and local aquariums (including our own) work to share best practices and drive real impact.

As SEA LIFE London Aquarium, we are delighted to support EUAC’s Fish of the Year 2025 campaign and elevate the seahorse as a powerful symbol of marine conservation. Together with our Seahorse exhibits, educational outreach, and our colleagues at SEA LIFE Trust supporting the Seahorse Hotel project in Australia, we continue to inspire visitors to care about these fascinating creatures and the fragile ecosystems they represent.

Visit us to meet our seahorses, engage with our educational trails, and join our mission to protect marine biodiversity. Every year, we’re proud to support EUAC’s campaign from the Bengal cardinalfish in 2024 to seahorses in 2025, and we’re excited to keep making a difference, year after year.

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