Dr. Richard Smith
Marine Biologist, Conservationist & Author
Dr. Richard Smith is a British award-winning underwater photographer, author, and marine conservationist who has dedicated his career to promoting appreciation for the ocean's inhabitants and raising awareness of marine conservation issues. As the world's leading authority on pygmy seahorses, Richard has fundamentally shaped our understanding of these remarkable creatures through pioneering research, species discoveries, and conservation efforts.
Richard's journey into marine biology began in 1996 when he first learned to dive. Since then, he has logged well over 4,500 dives and achieved PADI Dive Master status, using diving as a gateway to indulge his passion for natural history and communicate his discoveries through skilled underwater photography.
His academic foundation was built at the University of Southampton, where he graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Zoology in 2002, followed by an MSc in Marine Ecology and Evolution from the University of Queensland, Australia in 2005 – for which he was awarded the Dean's Commendation for High Achievement. Richard is a Fellow of both London's Royal Geographical Society and The Linnean Society of London.
In 2007, Richard embarked on what would become groundbreaking research for his PhD on the biology and conservation of pygmy seahorses. His doctorate was awarded in April 2011, making him the first person to complete biological research – and earn a doctorate – focused entirely on these diminutive fishes.
His pioneering work concentrated on the gorgonian-associated species, Denise's (Hippocampus denise) and Bargibant's pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti), conducted with support from Wakatobi Dive Resort in Indonesia. This research included the first-ever population studies of pygmy seahorses and detailed observations of their behavior, reproduction, and conservation needs.
Media
Richard's discoveries and research have garnered international attention:
Discovering New Species
Richard's exploration has led to remarkable discoveries in the world's oceans:
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Japanese Pygmy Seahorse (2018)
Working with international colleagues from the USA, Australia, and of course Japan, Richard named Hippocampus japapigu – proving that pygmy seahorses aren't limited to tropical waters and expanding their known range to subtropical Japanese reefs.
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South African Pygmy Seahorse (2020)
Richard and his research team described Hippocampus nalu from South Africa – the first pygmy seahorse ever found in the Indian Ocean. As Richard noted, "It was like finding a Kangaroo in Norway."
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Sodwana Pygmy Pipehorse (2024)
On the same expedition that led to the description of the South African pygmy seahorse, Richard and Dr Louw Claassens collected the Sodwana Pygmy Pipehorse, which they named with taxonomist Graham Short as Cylix nkosi in 2024.
Leading Global Conservation Efforts
Richard's expertise has positioned him at the forefront of international marine conservation:
IUCN Species Survival Commission: In 2016, Richard was invited to join the prestigious IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group (SPSSG) – the recognised world authority on these fishes. In 2020, he was appointed as the Species Focal Point for Pygmy Seahorses within the Specialist Group, and serves as the Global Pygmy Seahorse Expert for iSeahorse.org, which uses citizen science to advance seahorse research and conservation worldwide.
National Advisory Role: Since July 2021, Richard has been a founding member of the Natural England Seahorse Working Group, an independent expert panel advising on marine wildlife licensing and development guidance for British seahorse species.
IUCN Red List Work: Richard has served as a reviewer for various pygmy seahorses and syngnathids on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, including Denise’s and Bargibant’s species, which he studied during his PhD research. In 2024 he co-authored the Red List assessment for the first Critically Endangered seahorse, the Walea Soft Coral pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus waleananus)
'The World Beneath:
The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs'
Richard's ability to translate complex science into engaging stories culminated in his popular science book 'The World Beneath: The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs' – a #1 bestseller on Amazon that covers his wide-ranging work from marine biology to natural history observations and conservation.
The book's success led to a sold-out launch event at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC and speaking engagements at prestigious venues including The Linnean Society of London – where he followed in the footsteps of Charles Darwin at the world's oldest biological society.
Expedition Leader
Richard's passion for sharing marine knowledge extends to leading diving expeditions worldwide. Since 2013, he has personally guided small-group expeditions to some of the planet's most biodiverse waters, combining his scientific expertise with underwater photography instruction. These expeditions not only provide participants with exceptional diving experiences but also contribute to ongoing research and conservation efforts.
Covers & Publications
Recognition & Media Coverage
Richard's discoveries and research have garnered international attention:
National Geographic: "This Colourful New Seahorse is the Size of a Grain of Rice"
BBC: "Incredible and tiny seahorse discovered in Japan"
CNN: “From the sex lives of pygmy seahorses to parasites living in fish nostrils”
Mongabay: "Top 10 New Species of 2018"
Scientific Publications: Multiple peer-reviewed papers in leading journals including Marine Ecology Progress Series, Zookeys, Ichthyology & Herpetology and Coral Reefs.
Selected Scientific Publications
Dr. Richard Smith’s Google Scholar
Short G, Claassens L, Smith R, et al. (2020). Hippocampus nalu, a new species of pygmy seahorse from South Africa, and the first record from the Indian Ocean. ZooKeys.
Short G, Smith R, Motomura H, et al. (2018). Hippocampus japapigu, a new species of pygmy seahorse from Japan, with a redescription of H. pontohi. ZooKeys 779: 27-49.
Smith RE, Grutter AS, Tibbetts IR (2012). Extreme habitat specialisation and population structure of two gorgonian-associated pygmy seahorses. Marine Ecology Progress Series 444: 195-206.
Smith RE, Tibbetts IR (2008). Mating and birth of Denise's pygmy seahorses observed in the wild. Coral Reefs 27(3): 617.
Current Mission
Today, Richard continues his multifaceted work as a marine biologist, leading expeditions that combine cutting-edge research with conservation education. Through his photography, writing, speaking, and field research, he works tirelessly to ensure that the ocean's most remarkable creatures – from the tiniest pygmy seahorse to entire coral reef ecosystems – are understood, appreciated, and protected for future generations.
"The oceans are full of species we are yet to discover, and I'm passionate about trying to find and study these unknown animals."
– Dr. Richard Smith
Connect with Dr. Richard Smith
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