The sea horse and related sea dragon are considered powerful aphrodisiacs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Western science hasn't addressed this question, but is starting to. The demand for sea horses in Asia is high, and there is both a danger that natural populations will be wiped out, and an opportunity for aquaculturists to raise this prized yang tonic like other fish.

Millions of sea horses are caught every year. They are consumed as aphrodisiac foods and medicine for certain heart and lung conditions. They are dried and sold as souvenirs to tourists in beach-side stores. And they are transported live for saltwater aquarium enthusiasts. But the largest market is for aphrodisiacs.

A search of the scientific literature turned up no studies that looked at the question of whether sea horses have any real aphrodisiac properties. While there is research that shows that Ginseng, Epimedium, and Deer Antler can boost the libido, sea horses are a traditional Chinese sex tonic that have not gotten much attention from the lab coats.

The anecdotal evidence and praise from herbalists is there. Ron Teeguarden, for example, describes sea horses as exceedingly yang and a potent kidney tonic (many other aphrodisiacs are classified as kidney tonics in Traditional Chinese Medicine). Teeguarden considers sea horse to be an effective aphrodisiac, and warns "Men, do not use if you are mateless." He suggests that women should consume this aphrodisiac only in small doses, and for short periods of time.

Conservation biologists are worried about populations of sea horses in the wild. In addition to the millions that are caught for economic reasons, they are also being negatively affected by coral reef destruction, pollution, and increased water temperatures. India (one of the largest exporters) has put many species of sea horses on their endangered species list. In 2004, sea horses were added to the CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. In theory, this makes it illegal to buy or sell most sea horses, but enforcement of the agreement is limited.

Aquaculturists hope to take advantage of the demand for sea horses and raise them in captivity. But sea horse aquaculture can be tricky - the small fry require a specialized diet, and disease problems are common. One Vietnamese group claims that they can nurture 80% of the hatchlings to adulthood, which is much better than in the wild. Sea Horse Australia is another aquaculture company pioneering this field.

A consortium in India is also devoting attention to sea horse breeding and biology - they hope to improve aquaculture methods, and use the animal in the lab to further pharmaceutical research. Led by the National Institute of Oceanography in Goa, the team has outlined an ambitious agenda, but is just getting started. (Link to Dec. 2006 article on Sea Horse research in India)

Aphrodisolgy's Bottom Line: Given the fact that sea horses are an endangered species, I would urge restraint in trying this aphrodisiac. In the future, this fish will be bred in captivity, and consuming it will be the moral equivalent of consuming tilapia or salmon. Until then, I would suggest Ginseng, Ashwaganda, Horny Goat Weed, Deer Antler, or one of the other aphrodisiacs that are sustainably grown.

Sea Dragons are related to sea horses. They are generally larger, and are camoflauged to look like vegetation. Traditional Chinese Medicine considers them even more potent aphrodisiacs than sea horses.

Sea horses and sea dragons are true fishes, not crustaceans or molluscs or some other phyllum. Many people have an emotional aversion to the idea of eating sea horses due to their shape and familiarity ... in most western cultures, there is a strong taboo against eating any animal seen as a pet or companion. While few people keep sea horses as pets, their unusual shape and their use in movies and art has put them into that psychological space.

Sea horses have an unusual reproductive biology. The males give birth. The male receives eggs from the female, fertilizes them, and carries the eggs while they develop.

All sea horses are in the genus Hippocampus.

Key words: seahorse "sea horse" aphrodisiac "sea dragon" libido sexuality