The Hippocampus Project Office (Projeto Hippocampus) is a research and conservation center for seahorses. It’s where a team of biologists and veterinarians work closely to study the behavioral aspects of the world’s 54 species of hippocampus. The Hippocampus Project Office offers tours of its aquariums and areas of its research facilities with knowledgeable guides.
Walk with your guide around the aquarium’s collection of tanks. See seahorses brought from their natural habitats in addition to those reared in the center’s laboratories. Of the 54 species found throughout the world, three are native to Brazilian waters. These are the erectus, patagonicus and reidi (or longsnout).
Learn about the life span and incubation period of these small marine fishes. Those located in tropical waters have a gestation cycle of just 12 days and can give birth to up to 1,500 babies. Discover how cultivation and farming practices can help preserve the future of seahorses.
Also on display at the center are examples of fish commonly found in the Pernambuco state in northeastern Brazil. Among the colorful varieties are clownfish, lobster, moray eels and shrimp.
The showroom is open from Tuesday to Friday and there is an admission fee. Be aware that it closes for a few hours at lunchtime.
The Hippocampus Project Office is located in Porto de Galinhas, the main village of Ipojuca. While here, explore the village’s natural pools such as Vila de Porto de Galinhas Beach. Join a buggy tour of the nearby beaches, including Camboa Beach, Cupe Beach and Muro Alto Beach. Go surfing at Maracaípe Beach and join a cruise along the Maracaípe River, a popular breeding ground for seahorses and crabs.
