Rare seahorses bred in Cheshire

Rare seahorses bred in Cheshire

A Cheshire aquarium has bred over 100 seahorses as part of a programme to protect the threatened species.

The seahorses which are currently less than a centimetre in length are being kept in special tanks at the Blue Planet Aquarium.

Seahorses are unique amongst animals as the male of the species carries the babies and gives birth to them.

It's hoped the new arrivals, which will eventually grow to 20cm long, will go on public display before Christmas.

There are over 40 species of seahorse in the world most living in tropical or temperate waters.

Recently seahorses have been found living in the Thames Estuary.

Most species of seahorse are under the threat of extinction, it's estimated that 30 million a year are killed to be used in traditional Chinese medicine.