The seahorse, although beautiful and slow, is the most efficient killer in the ocean. It hides amongst sea-grass, moving slowly and silently until it attacks with deadly speed and never fails it's kill once initiated, as it 'sucks' it's prey in.
It's horny outside acts as armour.
It can be the most beautiful of creatures as it imitates coral reefs in appearance.
It is unusual as the males of the species carry the eggs from the female in a pouch until they are ready to be born.
Uses:
As underwater base protection, providing an almost impenetrable defense against 'would be' intruders. Although slow moving, their stealth capabilities make them able to sneak up unseen or heard, once within range their deadly attack never misses. When placed in grasses or near anything natural the Seahorse becomes camouflaged.
They also make beautiful decoration for those on pve, being able to transform a dull tek underwater-base into something creative and pretty.
Their slow movement speed allows building of underwater bases to be more controlled and easier when ridden.
Excellent for passive fish and pearls collection and farming of everything found in the water.
Males act as underwater maewings, raising young water creatures in their pouches. Similar to maewings but with excellent protection.
I am not sure how you would tame these creatures as they will attack anything nearby with deadly speed and accuracy.
More deadly than a Mosasaurus, but with little speed, they hide and stealth attack.
I don't really have time to work on this submission anymore- but if someone would like to run with it let me know.
Being a pve player I would love to have these just for their beauty alone, I can see them sitting high up in the water as 'markers' for an underwater base- like beautiful statues- that also collect anything swimming close by (if on passive collection).
They would not be an early game tame, probably end game (like Giga), as they are so OP and useful. Their slow (steady) speed is their main disadvantage- but also their advantage when building in water.
They could be fixed using their tails to curl around posts. But given the ability to 'unfix' themselves in certain situations.
Seahorses date back to the Lower Pliocene, about 3 million years ago.