A medium-sized seahorse, the tiger tail seahorse reaches a maximum total length of around . The coloration of this species is variable, generally being black or brown in adults with yellow saddle shapes on the upper surface and yellow stripes on the tail, hence the common name. Thin white stripes may be present in a radiating pattern around the eyes, as well as mottled patterns across the body. Like other seahorses, the tiger tail seahorse has bony plates arranged in rings throughout its body, with this species in particular having 11 trunk rings and 33 to 37 tail rings. The
dorsal fin has 17 to 19 rays, while the
pectoral fin has 16 to 19 rays. Two spines extend from each cheek, in addition to a prominent spine on the nose. The coronet (the crown-like spine on the head) is low and has five knobs. == References ==