Vertical Tensioned Seahorse Rearing Structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure comprising a bottom base frame that sinks into the lower layer of a rearing tank, an upper float member that generates lift in the rearing water, and a plurality of linear support lines connected between these two elements to apply constant taut vertical tension. The linear support lines are composed of a circular cross-section, a soft elastic polymer with a Shore A hardness of 20 to 60, a convex curved surface with a surface roughness Ra of 1.6 to 12.5 μm, a diameter of 1 to 5 mm, and a black or dark green coloring to safely support the seahorse's tail grasp. Horizontal spacing rings spaced 80 to 150 mm apart are coupled to the linear support lines to form a three-dimensional grid-type unit rearing cell, thereby providing individual rearing spaces for multiple seahorses that do not become entangled in both vertical and horizontal directions. Support spacers are provided on the bottom base frame to secure a bottom discharge channel, and the entire structure can be lifted and cleaned as a single assembly without draining the rearing water. The low drag coefficient of the circular cross-section linear support line and the open structure with a horizontal projected cross-sectional area of ​​10% or less ensure the uniform passage of degassed rearing water, thereby structurally suppressing the occurrence of gas bubble disease.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure used for rearing seahorses (Hippocampus spp.), and more specifically, to a vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure that is installed vertically inside a closed indoor rearing tank and maintains a state in which vertical tension is constantly applied to a plurality of linear support lines connected between an upper buoyancy float member and a lower weight base frame, thereby stably supporting the tail-waving gripping behavior of seahorses, suppressing the occurrence of underwater fluid blind spots, and providing a three-dimensional rearing space in which a plurality of seahorses do not get entangled with each other. Background Technology

[0003] Seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) are in high demand in the ornamental fish market due to their unique physical beauty and gentle swimming habits, while also being used as a raw material for traditional East Asian medicine for thousands of years. According to data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a significant number of the approximately 40 known seahorse species are classified as vulnerable or higher in threat levels due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and bycatch, and their natural populations are continuously declining. Consequently, the establishment of sustainable artificial aquaculture technologies to replace supply systems relying on wild harvesting is recognized as an urgent task by both the international community and the aquaculture industry.

[0004] Seahorses possess multiple unique physiological and behavioral characteristics that distinguish them from other bony fish, and these characteristics act as direct constraints in the design of artificial rearing environments. Seahorses swim vertically relying on the high-speed pulsation of their dorsal fin instead of a swim bladder; consequently, the absence of a swim bladder results in very high energy consumption during swimming. To minimize this energy expenditure, seahorses constantly perform gripping behavior, securing their bodies by wrapping their tails around any sessile underwater structure. Beyond the purpose of simple rest, this gripping behavior serves essential functions: stabilizing the body during hunting to improve feeding accuracy, preventing unnecessary physical exertion caused by water flow, and maintaining immune function by suppressing the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol. Therefore, even in artificial rearing environments, seahorses must always be able to utilize phage devices comparable to the seaweed or coral structures in their natural habitats; it has been reported that the absence of phage devices or exposure to unsuitable environments leads to physical exhaustion, weakened immunity, and an increased incidence of gas bubble disease (GBD).

[0005] Gas bubble disease (GBD) is one of the most frequently occurring fatal diseases in artificial seahorse farming. It is a condition in which bubbles form in the subcutaneous tissues, eyes, and internal vascular systems of seahorses when the partial pressure of dissolved gases (mainly nitrogen and oxygen) in the rearing water reaches a supersaturated state. Although GBD can be prevented by degassing the rearing water, if a large, impermeable structure is placed within the rearing tank, a fluid dead zone is formed in the wake of the structure, preventing the degassing water from reaching that area and causing localized supersaturation of dissolved gases. This is a passive mechanism for inducing GBD caused by the shape of the structure, implying that prevention is incomplete with degassing alone and that the hydrodynamic design of the structure itself is a key variable in preventing GBD.

[0006] In conventional artificial rearing of seahorses, natural seaweed, plastic imitation seaweed, artificial coral structures, or cut sections of PVC pipes have been primarily used as sustenance materials. However, these conventional structures simultaneously possess several technical limitations. As previously described, large, impermeable structures form fluid blind spots, structurally increasing the risk of GBD. The edges and surfaces of rigid plastic or PVC structures cause frictional injuries upon repeated contact with the seahorse's delicate bony plate joints and epidermis; these wounds act as entry points for bacterial infection, leading to reported cases of skin ulcers and sepsis. Furthermore, food residue and excrement accumulate beneath structures that occupy a large portion of the rearing tank floor, becoming a breeding ground for water quality deterioration. Since cleaning this requires completely draining the rearing water, the workload and the shock stress caused by temperature and salinity to the seahorses are simultaneously increased. In addition, when a large-volume structure unevenly divides the space of the rearing tank, a large number of seahorses are concentrated in one area, leading to frequent accidents where they wrap their tails around each other and get entangled. This results in reduced productivity, including injuries, deaths, and interference with male pregnancy. Since no dedicated rearing structure for seahorses has been disclosed or proposed to comprehensively solve these problems, a new technical approach is required. The problem to be solved

[0008] The first problem that the present invention aims to solve is to suppress the formation of blind spots in water flow caused by structures installed in the rearing tank and to ensure that the degassed rearing water is evenly distributed throughout the rearing tank, thereby structurally preventing localized supersaturation of dissolved gas and fundamentally reducing the risk of developing gas bubble disease (GBD).

[0009] The second problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a gripping material having a diameter, material, and surface properties optimized for the tail-winding habit of seahorses, thereby enabling the seahorse to stably fix its body and maintain a holding posture with sufficient frictional force, while preventing frictional injuries to the bony plate joints and skin.

[0010] The third problem that the present invention aims to solve is to form a three-dimensional individual compartment rearing space that structurally blocks tail entanglement and mutual interference between individuals in both vertical and horizontal directions when rearing a large number of seahorses at high density, thereby increasing the number of individuals accommodated per unit rearing tank without reducing productivity due to increased rearing density.

[0011] The fourth problem that the present invention aims to solve is to secure a flow path through which excrement and food residue settled on the bottom of the rearing tank can move smoothly to the discharge port, and to provide convenience in hygiene management by rapidly lifting the entire structure as a single assembly without the process of draining the rearing water and performing high-pressure cleaning from the outside. means of solving the problem

[0013] To solve the above problem, the vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure according to the present invention comprises: a bottom base frame having a predetermined weight to sink to the lower part of the rearing tank; an upper float member spaced apart from the bottom base frame in the vertical direction and generating lift that attempts to rise upward through its own buoyancy in the rearing water; and a plurality of linear support lines connecting the bottom base frame and the upper float member vertically and maintaining a state in which taut vertical tension is applied by the interaction between the lift of the upper float member and the weight of the bottom base frame, and the plurality of linear support lines provide a three-dimensional vertical rearing space to which seahorses can attach.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of linear support lines are evenly spaced such that the center-to-center distance between two adjacent support lines is 15 mm or more and 50 mm or less, and the sum of the horizontal projected cross-sectional areas of all the plurality of linear support lines is set to be 10% or less of the horizontal internal cross-sectional area of ​​the rearing tank, and each linear support line has a circular cross-section to minimize drag against the flowing water, thereby suppressing the occurrence of blind spots in the underwater fluid flow when the flow of rearing water entering the rearing tank passes through the structure.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of support spacers are provided at the lower portion of the lower base frame to space the lower base frame from the inner bottom surface of the breeding tank by a predetermined distance, and a flow path is secured through the lower space formed by the support spacers so that sediment and excrement settled on the bottom surface of the breeding tank can move smoothly toward the discharge port without vortex or reduction in flow velocity.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of linear support lines are made of a non-toxic soft polymer material that prevents damage to the seahorse's skin and provides friction, have a diameter of 1 mm to 5 mm corresponding to the seahorse's tail-twisting habit, and are colored in black or dark green to maximize visual brightness contrast with the prey organism being fed to induce a feeding response in the seahorse.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of linear support lines are made of an elastic polymer material with a Shore A hardness of 20 or more and 60 or less to disperse local concentrated stress applied to the bony structure of the seahorse tail, and the surface roughness Ra is formed within the range of 1.6 μm or more and 12.5 μm or less to provide frictional gripping force while suppressing contact wear with epidermal scales, and a continuous convex curved surface is maintained without sharp edges, burrs, and steps over the entire outer surface, and the bending elastic recovery rate is maintained at 80% or more.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entire structure is modularized into a single assembly, and when the upper float member is lifted above the water surface of the rearing tank, the upper float member, the plurality of linear support lines, and the lower base frame are towed as a single unit, so that they can be removed to the outside and high-pressure washed without the process of draining the rearing water.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of horizontal spacing maintaining rings are fixedly coupled to the plurality of linear support lines at predetermined vertical intervals, so that the vertical tension-type support lines and the plurality of horizontal spacing maintaining rings form a three-dimensional grid-type rearing cell structure, and each unit rearing cell is set to have a vertical height of 80 mm or more and 150 mm or less corresponding to the body length of one adult seahorse and a horizontal spacing distance exceeding the tail reach radius of an adjacent seahorse, thereby structurally blocking the entanglement of multiple seahorses by mutual tail wrapping in both vertical and horizontal directions. Effects of the invention

[0021] The vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure according to the present invention provides the following significant effects.

[0022] First, the constant imbalance between the lift of the upper float member and the weight of the lower base frame applies continuous vertical tension to multiple linear support lines, thereby ensuring that the linear support lines always maintain a taut and stable vertical posture without the need for external power or fixed structures. This fundamentally prevents seahorse fall accidents caused by sagging, twisting, and structural instability that occurred in conventional gravity-sinking or bottom-fixed devices. In particular, since seahorses have a habit of preferring vertical structures to suit their vertical swimming style, the support lines, whose verticality is guaranteed by tension, optimally support the seahorse's grasping behavior, thereby minimizing energy consumption and providing the effect of maintaining biological homeostasis.

[0023] Second, the open grid structure, composed of linear support lines with circular cross-sections and horizontal spacing rings, minimizes obstruction to the flow path of the rearing water. Consequently, when deaerated rearing water passes through the structure, the formation of wakes and fluid dead zones is suppressed by the circular cross-sections, which have a low drag coefficient. As a result, dissolved gas partial pressures are evenly distributed throughout the rearing tank, and localized supersaturated zones are eliminated, thereby structurally reducing the risk of GBD (Gas Bubble Disease). This effect serves as a GBD prevention mechanism at the structural design level that cannot be achieved through deaeration alone, providing a substantial technical advantage that allows on-site aquaculture operators to significantly reduce the incidence of GBD without the need for additional equipment.

[0024] Third, the linear support line, manufactured from an elastic polymer material with a Shore A hardness of 20 to 60, extensively disperses localized concentrated stress applied to the bony joint structure of the hippocampus tail. With a surface roughness Ra range of 1.6 μm to 12.5 μm and continuous convex curved surface processing, it provides sufficient frictional gripping force to prevent the hippocampus from slipping while suppressing contact wear with epidermal scales. This provides the effect of significantly reducing cases of tail skin ulcers and secondary bacterial infections that were frequently reported with conventional rigid plastic or PVC substrates.

[0025] Fourth, the three-dimensional grid-type unit rearing cell structure formed by the combination of vertical support lines and horizontal spacing rings secures a vertical height of 80 mm to 150 mm based on the body length of adult seahorses and a horizontal spacing distance exceeding the tail reach radius, thereby simultaneously preventing tail entanglement between individuals in both vertical and horizontal directions in high-density rearing environments. This provides significant economic benefits by increasing the number of individuals that can be accommodated per unit rearing tank while minimizing individual injury, mortality, and accidents that interfere with male pregnancy, thereby simultaneously improving rearing productivity and survival rates. Furthermore, the horizontal spacing rings function as additional horizontal gripping devices, increasing the number of selectable gripping points for seahorses within each cell, which provides the additional benefit of alleviating stress from competition for gripping resources due to population density.

[0026] Fifth, the lower space separated from the bottom surface of the rearing tank by support spacers enables the continuous discharge of sediment and excrement without reducing the flow velocity in the lower area of ​​the structure, thereby supporting the constant maintenance of rearing water quality. In addition, since the entire structure is modularized into a single assembly, the entire structure can be removed without draining the rearing water by simply lifting the upper float member above the water surface, which drastically reduces the labor and time required for high-pressure cleaning and minimizes the stress on seahorses in the residual rearing water during the cleaning process.

[0027] Sixth, the black or dark green coloration of the linear support line maximizes the visual brightness contrast with the bright colors of the prey organisms being fed (Artemia nauplius, Mysidasea, etc.), thereby inducing the seahorse to efficiently detect surrounding prey organisms even while in a holding state and to rapidly initiate a feeding response. This leads to a substantial improvement in rearing productivity, enhancing the seahorse's food intake rate and growth rate. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0029] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the installation state inside the rearing tank, illustrating the sinking position of the lower base frame, the floating position of the upper float member directly below the water surface, the state of vertical tension application of the support line, and the direction of flow of the rearing water. FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a lower base frame, illustrating the shape of the frame body, the arrangement of support spacers, and the sediment discharge channel formed by the lower spaced-out space. FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view and cross-sectional view of an upper float member, illustrating a buoyancy generation structure by a sealed hollow section, a float casing, and a support line coupling ring. FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the combined structure of a horizontal spacing maintaining ring and a vertical support line, showing an enlarged cross-section of the ring-support line joint, the convex curved shape of the ring, and a mechanism for maintaining the spacing distance between the support lines. FIG. 6 is a front and plan view of a unit rearing cell structure, illustrating the dimensions of one cell and the space for accommodating one seahorse, which is divided by a vertical support line section and an upper and lower horizontal spacing maintenance ring. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a linear support line, showing the circular cross-sectional shape, diameter, surface roughness Ra area indication, and convex continuous surface processing state. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the usage state in which multiple seahorses are settled by wrapping their tails around vertical support lines and horizontal spacing rings within a unit rearing cell, illustrating a structure to prevent entanglement between individuals. FIG. 9 is a diagram of the lifting and cleaning process of a single assembly module, illustrating the process in which the entire structure is towed as a single unit when the upper float member is lifted. FIG. 10 is a comparative diagram of fluid flow distribution within a breeding tank, showing (a) an area where a blind spot occurs when a conventional structure is installed, and (b) a flow pattern of suppressing the blind spot and ensuring even passage of degassed water by a circular cross-sectional support line when the structure of the present invention is installed. Figure 11 is an image of an actual application example. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and the size and proportions of each component in the drawings may differ from the actual product for the convenience of explanation.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is arranged vertically inside a closed indoor rearing tank (100) and is largely composed of a lower base frame (200), an upper float member (300), a plurality of linear support lines (400), a horizontal spacing maintaining ring (500), and a unit rearing cell (600) formed by a combination thereof. The structure (10) maintains the vertical position of the linear support lines (400) solely by the constant vertical tension generated by the sinking weight of the lower base frame (200) and the buoyancy of the upper float member (300), without any separate fixing device that is fixed to the bottom surface (101) of the rearing tank (100) or attached to the wall of the rearing tank (100).

[0032] The rearing tank (100) is a closed tank for rearing seahorses (700), typically made of FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic), acrylic, or corrosion-resistant metal material, and filled with rearing water (800). An outlet (102) is formed on the inner bottom surface (101) of the rearing tank (100) so that sediment, excrement, and food waste can be moved to an external drainage system. The water surface (103) of the rearing tank (100) forms the upper boundary of the rearing water (800), and rearing water (800) that has been degassed to prevent gas bubble disease is continuously supplied through the degassed rearing water inlet (820). A temperature control device, a filtration device, and an oxygen supply device may be added to the side wall or bottom of the rearing tank (100), but these do not constitute components of the present invention.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the bottom base frame (200) is a structure having a predetermined weight to sink into the lower part of the breeding tank (100), and in the present invention, it serves as an anchor to support the lower part of the linear support line (400). The material of the bottom base frame (200) may be stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance, a corrosion-resistant treated aluminum alloy, or a composite structure containing a metal insert to add sufficient weight to a PVC or polypropylene material. The planar shape of the bottom base frame (200) may be formed as a square, rectangle, circle, or regular polygon, and the interior may be reinforced in a grid shape or composed of only the minimum necessary frame members to allow free passage of the breeding water (800). A plurality of coupling holes or hook structures are formed on the upper surface periphery of the lower base frame (200) to which the lower ends of a plurality of linear support lines (400) are coupled, and the lower ends of the linear support lines (400) are firmly fixed to the lower base frame (200) by this coupling structure.

[0034] The weight of the lower base frame (200) is designed to be greater than the buoyancy generated by the upper float member (300), so that the difference between the buoyancy and the weight is converted into a net tension acting downward on the linear support line (400). Specifically, it is preferable to set the underwater weight of the lower base frame (200) to be at least 1.2 times the net buoyancy of the upper float member (300), and within this range, the vertical posture of the linear support line (400) is stably maintained despite flow disturbances of the rearing water (800). If the weight of the lower base frame (200) is excessively large, the tension of the linear support line (400) becomes excessive, increasing the risk of fatigue fracture of the material; therefore, it is most preferable to design it within a range of at least 1.2 times and no more than 3.0 times the net buoyancy.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of support spacers (210) are provided in an integrated or separate manner at four corners or more of the lower part of the lower base frame (200). The support spacers (210) form a lower gap space (220) between the lower surface of the lower base frame (200) and the inner bottom surface (101) of the breeding tank (100), and the vertical height of this gap space (220) is set to a range of 10 mm or more and 50 mm or less. The cross-sectional shape of the support spacers (210) can be manufactured as a circular, square, or tapered shape, and their arrangement direction is aligned parallel to the flow direction toward the outlet (102) of the breeding tank (100) so as not to act as an obstacle on the sediment movement path. The lower space (220) functions as a discharge channel through which food residue, seahorse excrement, and molted debris settled on the bottom surface (101) of the breeding tank (100) move smoothly toward the discharge port (102) by bottom flow generated by an external circulation pump. In the absence of a support spacer (210), the lower base frame (200) is in close contact with the bottom surface (101), blocking the discharge channel, and sediment accumulates at the bottom of the structure, causing anaerobic decay and water pollution. In contrast, the support spacer (210) of this embodiment structurally resolves these problems.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the upper float member (300) is a component that generates a buoyancy force within the rearing water (800) by being spaced vertically apart from the lower base frame (200). The upper float member (300) is composed of a float casing (320) containing a sealed hollow section (310), and the sealed hollow section (310) is a sealed space filled with air or an inert gas, which generates buoyancy due to the density difference with the rearing water (800). The material of the float casing (320) is made of non-toxic HDPE (high-density polyethylene), PVC, or ABS resin, and a material is selected considering corrosion resistance, UV resistance, and resistance to biological attachment in a seawater rearing environment. Alternatively, the upper float member (300) may be manufactured as a foam-filled type in which foamed polyethylene, foamed EVA, or foamed polyurethane material is filled inside the float casing (320) instead of a sealed hollow structure, in which case structural safety is improved as buoyancy is not rapidly lost even if the casing is damaged.

[0037] A plurality of support line connecting rings (330) are formed on the lower surface or side periphery of the upper float member (300) to which the upper portion of the linear support line (400) is connected. The support line connecting rings (330) are manufactured in the form of annular rings or D-rings made of stainless steel and are embedded in the float casing (320) or fixed by a bolt fastening method, and the upper portion of the linear support line (400) is connected by a binding knot or a compression sleeve method. The upper float member (300) is designed to have buoyancy so as to be located directly below the water surface (103) of the rearing water (800), and in this position, it maintains a position that is accessible by hand from outside the rearing tank (100) while minimizing the influence of surface waves that may occur from the water surface (103). In one embodiment, the buoyancy of the upper float member (300) can be adjusted so as to float at a depth corresponding to a range of 10% to 30% of the water depth of the rearing tank (100).

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, the linear support line (400) is a plurality of thin linear materials that vertically connect the support line coupling ring (330) of the upper float member (300) and the coupling hole of the lower base frame (200). The diameter of the linear support line (400) is set to a range of 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less, suitable for winding the tail (710) of the seahorse (700). This diameter range is determined by considering the inner diameter of the adult tail and the grasping torque of major commercial aquaculture species such as seahorse kuda (H. kuda), abdominal seahorse (H. abdominalis), and complex seahorse (H. erectus). If the diameter is less than 1 mm, the joint of the seahorse tail bone cannot completely surround the linear support line (400), so the gripping force is reduced, and if the diameter exceeds 5 mm, the tail bone of the fry and small species is not sufficiently wrapped, so the grip becomes unstable, so the above range is most suitable.

[0039] The linear support line (400) is made of a non-toxic soft polymer material that provides gripping power while preventing damage to the epidermis and bony plates (720) of the seahorse (700). Suitable materials include thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), and soft polyvinyl chloride (soft PVC) mixed with non-toxic plasticizers. All of these materials have been verified for hydrolysis resistance, salt resistance, and UV resistance in seawater environments, and can achieve Shore A hardness and surface roughness ranges described later through appropriate blending control. In particular, TPU and silicone rubber materials do not leach plasticizers even in environments where they are immersed in rearing water for a long period, so there is no risk of rearing water contamination, and they also have excellent chemical resistance to high-pressure washing and disinfection with diluted sodium hypochlorite solution.

[0040] The coloring of the linear support line (400) is performed in black (Munsell symbol N1.5 or less) or a dark green color (Munsell symbol 5GY 2 / 4 or less), and this color tone selection is intended to maximize the visual brightness contrast with the bright and transparent appearance of Artemia nauplii and Mysidacea, which are the main prey organisms of the seahorse (700). Since seahorses (700) are known to respond more sensitively to brightness contrast than color contrast when detecting prey organisms, lowering the background brightness of the linear support line (400) as much as possible improves the detection efficiency of bright prey organisms and results in an increased feeding response initiation speed and feeding success rate in the phagocytic state. As a coloring agent, a carbon black or inorganic pigment-based masterbatch is mixed into the material rather than a water-soluble pigment or organic dye, and this is to minimize the possibility of contamination of the rearing water due to the leaching of the coloring agent.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, the cross-section of the linear support line (400) is extruded or injection molded to have a circular cross-section (410), and the circular cross-section is a cross-sectional shape with the lowest hydrodynamic drag coefficient (Cd), providing a drag reduction effect of about 40-50% compared to a square cross-section of the same cross-sectional area. As a result, when the rearing water (800) passes through the structure (10), the wake of each linear support line (400) is minimized, thereby suppressing the formation of a blind spot.

[0042] The Shore A hardness of the linear support line (400) is set to a range of 20 or higher and 60 or lower. This hardness range is the optimal range for absorbing and dispersing localized concentrated stress that occurs when the bony joint structure of the tail (710) of the seahorse (700) comes into contact with the linear support line (400) through the elastic deformation of the linear support line (400) material. If the Shore A hardness is less than 20, the linear support line (400) itself is excessively deformed by the gripping load, hindering the maintenance of a vertical posture, and if it exceeds 60, the concentrated stress on the bony joint increases, increasing the risk of tail deformation and joint damage during long-term rearing.

[0043] The surface roughness of the outer surface of the linear support line (400) is formed in a range of Ra 1.6 μm or more and 12.5 μm or less. A surface with a roughness of Ra 1.6 μm or more forms sufficient friction with the bony plate (720) of the tail (710) of the seahorse (700), allowing the seahorse (700) to stably maintain a gripping posture despite flow disturbances in the rearing water (800). Meanwhile, a rough surface with a roughness exceeding Ra 12.5 μm can continuously abrade fine scales of the epidermis during the repeated gripping and detaching process, potentially causing skin damage and forming a pathway for bacterial penetration; therefore, the surface is managed to be below the upper limit value. Surface roughness can be achieved by adjusting the surface processing specifications of the inner surface of the extrusion mold, or through polishing treatment or laser texturing processes after extrusion.

[0044] A continuous convex curve is maintained over the entire outer surface of the linear support line (400) so as not to have sharp edges, burrs, step differences in the molding parting line, or surface protrusions. In the extrusion molding process, burr formation is suppressed through precision polishing of the die exit section and control of cooling conditions, and in the injection molding process, the parting line position is appropriately designed so that the step difference is not exposed in the area in contact with the seahorse (700) tail (710). This requirement for maintaining a convex curve is intended to prevent local cuts to the soft tissue of the seahorse (700) tail (710) when it comes into contact with the linear support line (400), and is a key design element that significantly reduces instances of epidermal damage in actual rearing environments.

[0045] The bending elastic recovery rate of the linear support line (400) is set to 80% or more. The bending elastic recovery rate is a physical property indicating the degree to which the linear support line (400) is restored to its original straight shape when the load is removed after being bent at a certain angle. A recovery rate of 80% or more means that permanent set is not accumulated in the linear support line (400) during the daily behavioral cycle in which the hippocampus (700) repeatedly wraps its tail (710) and relaxes. If the elastic recovery rate drops below 80%, the linear support line (400) may become fixed in a bent position in a specific direction due to long-term use, and the vertical position may not be maintained, and as a result, tension may be unevenly distributed, which may reduce the overall stability of the structure (10).

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, a plurality of linear support lines (400) are arranged to extend vertically between an upper float member (300) and a lower base frame (200), and the center-to-center spacing between two adjacent linear support lines (400) is set evenly within a range of 15 mm to 50 mm. The arrangement pattern of the linear support lines (400) can be configured as a grid-type or radial-type in a plan view. In a grid-type arrangement, the row and column spacings are set equally, and in a radial arrangement, the linear support lines (400) are arranged at equal angular intervals radially from the center axis. The lower limit of the separation distance, 15 mm, is the minimum separation distance at which the tails (710) of two adjacent seahorses (700) do not simultaneously wrap around different linear support lines (400). Above this separation distance, the extension range of the tail (710) of the seahorse (700) holding on does not reach the adjacent support line (400). The upper limit of the separation distance, 50 mm, is an upper limit value to prevent competitive stress on holding resources by arranging a sufficient number of linear support lines (400) relative to the area of ​​the unit rearing tank (100).

[0047] The sum of the horizontal projected cross-sectional areas of all the multiple linear support lines (400) is set to be 10% or less of the horizontal internal cross-sectional area of ​​the rearing tank (100). For example, if the internal cross-section of the rearing tank (100) is 300 mm × 300 mm, the horizontal cross-sectional area is 90,000 mm², and the sum of the horizontal projected cross-sectional areas of all the linear support lines (400) is limited to 9,000 mm² or less. Since the cross-sectional area of ​​a linear support line (400) with a diameter of 3 mm is approximately 7.07 mm², a maximum of 1,273 linear support lines (400) can be placed in this rearing tank (100), and in actual operation, an appropriate number is selected according to the target population density and water quality management requirements. This 10% or less limit is a key design criterion that ensures the effective flow cross-sectional area of ​​the rearing water (800) occupies 90% or more of the total, thereby realizing the uniform passage of degassed water and suppression of blind spots.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the horizontal spacing ring (500) is a ring-shaped member fixedly connected to a plurality of linear support lines (400) at predetermined vertical intervals. The horizontal spacing ring (500) is formed with the same shape as the arrangement pattern of the linear support lines (400), that is, a rectangular ring in a grid arrangement, and a polygonal or circular ring in a radial arrangement. The material of the horizontal spacing ring (500) is made of a non-toxic soft polymer or a similar elastic polymer material identical to that of the linear support lines (400), and the ring-support line connection portion (510) with the linear support lines (400) is fixed by a compression clip, a stainless steel cable tie, or a thermal bonding method. By integrating the horizontal spacing maintaining ring (500) with the linear support line (400) at each ring-support line joint (510), the center-to-center spacing distance between adjacent linear support lines (400) is structurally fixed so that it does not fluctuate due to external forces or the flow of the rearing water (800). This provides the effect of maintaining the spacing distance within the design range, especially when minor sagging or lateral movement of the linear support line (400) occurs during long-term use.

[0049] The cross-section of the horizontal spacing maintenance ring (500) is formed in a circular shape, similar to the linear support line (400), and its diameter can be set to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the linear support line (400). The surface of the horizontal spacing maintenance ring (500) is manufactured to have the same surface properties as the linear support line (400), namely a Shore A hardness of 20 or more and 60 or less, a surface roughness Ra of 1.6 μm or more and 12.5 μm or less, and a continuous convex curved surface, so that it also functions as an additional gripping material for the seahorse (700) to wrap its tail (710) horizontally and settle on. In this way, by the horizontal spacing maintenance ring (500) simultaneously performing the spacing maintenance function and the horizontal gripping material function, the total number of gripping points that the seahorse (700) can select within the unit rearing cell (600) increases, which provides the advantage of alleviating stress caused by competition for gripping resources in an environment with high population density.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, a unit rearing cell (600) is defined as a three-dimensional space that is partitioned on all sides by a section of a linear support line (400) extending in the vertical direction and two horizontal spacing rings (500) located above and below it. The vertical height H of the unit rearing cell (600) is set to a range of 80 mm or more and 150 mm or less, corresponding to the standard body length of one adult seahorse, and a setting of around 100 mm is the most common when considering the body length distribution of the species targeted for commercial farming. This vertical height is a value such that the maximum elongation length of the tail (710) of a seahorse (700) placed in a specific unit rearing cell (600) does not simultaneously come into contact with the adjacent upper and lower horizontal spacing rings (500), thereby structurally blocking contact and entanglement between individuals in the vertical direction. In the horizontal direction, the distance between the centers of the previously described linear support lines (400) (15 mm or more and 50 mm or less) is designed to exceed the tail reach radius of each individual, thereby fundamentally blocking horizontal contact between seahorses (700) settled in adjacent unit rearing cells (600). Due to this vertical and horizontal double blocking structure, tail entanglement accidents between individuals do not occur even in high-density rearing environments.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 9, the entire vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure (10) is modularized into a single assembly, and the entire structure (10) can be removed from the rearing tank (100) by simply lifting it above the water surface (103) by grasping the upper float member (300) without any separate disassembly work. When lifting, all linear support lines (400) connected to the upper float member (300) are pulled upward, and the horizontal spacing maintaining ring (500) fixed to each linear support line (400) and the lower base frame (200) connected thereto are lifted together as a single unit. Since the rearing water (800) inside the rearing tank (100) is not drained during the lifting process, the seahorses (700) remaining in the residual rearing water (800) are not exposed to sudden changes in water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, thereby minimizing stress on the seahorses (700) caused by the washing process. The removed structure (10) is cleaned using a high-pressure washer to remove biofilm, food residue, and excrement attached to the surface of the linear support line (400), horizontal spacing ring (500), and bottom base frame (200), and, if necessary, is immersed in a diluted solution of non-toxic disinfectant and then put back into the rearing tank (100).

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 10, the degassed rearing water (800) supplied to the rearing tank (100) through the degassed rearing water inlet (820) passes through the structure (10) along the flow direction (810) and is distributed throughout the rearing tank (100). In this process, the linear support line (400) and the horizontal spacing maintaining ring (500), which are the main components of the structure (10), have their drag minimized by the circular cross-section (410), and the total horizontal projected cross-sectional area is limited to 10% or less of the cross-sectional area of ​​the rearing tank (100), so the scale of the wake occurring at the rear of the structure (10) is significantly reduced compared to conventional volumetric structures. As a result, the degassed water reaches the entire front and rear and internal areas of the structure (10) evenly, and since local supersaturated zones of dissolved gas partial pressure are not formed, the risk of developing gas bubble disease (GBD) is structurally reduced. As shown in the comparative drawing of FIG. 10, in the conventional volumetric structure installation environment of (a), a wide blind spot is formed at the rear of the structure, whereas in the installation environment of the structure (10) of the present invention of (b), the blind spot is minimized to a narrow wake of each linear support line (400), so that the degassed water is evenly distributed throughout the entire rearing tank (100).

[0053] As another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structures (10) may be arranged side by side within a single rearing tank (100) to increase rearing capacity. In this case, the upper float members (300) of each structure (10) may be interconnected by a horizontal connecting bar (not shown) so that the horizontal separation distance between adjacent structures (10) can be maintained at a constant level. This connecting bar additionally provides a batch lifting function that allows multiple structures (10) to be removed simultaneously during lifting.

[0054] As another embodiment of the present invention, an injection valve (not shown) capable of adjusting the buoyancy of the upper float member (300) is provided, so that the magnitude of the vertical tension applied to the linear support line (400) can be adjusted according to rearing conditions by changing the amount of gas filled in the sealed hollow portion (310) inside the float casing (320). This embodiment is useful for maintaining appropriate tension when rearing seahorses (700) of different weights at different age stages.

[0055] As another embodiment of the present invention, the color of the linear support line (400) is not limited to black or dark green, and depending on the lighting conditions of the rearing environment and the color tone of the supplied food organism, a color tone that maximizes the contrast in brightness with the food organism may be selectively applied from among dark blue, dark brown, or dark shades of achromatic colors. In addition, the horizontal spacing maintaining ring (500) may be colored with the same color tone as the linear support line (400), or different color tones may be applied in layers to visually distinguish the unit rearing cells (600) of a specific layer within the structure (10).

[0056] As another embodiment of the present invention, the height of the support spacer (210) can be manufactured as a telescopic structure adjustable in the range of 10 mm or more and 50 mm or less depending on the shape of the breeding tank (100), the location of the discharge port (102), and the amount of sediment generated. This embodiment provides versatility, allowing the same bottom base frame (200) to be applied to breeding tanks (100) of various sizes. Explanation of the symbols

[0058] 10: Vertical tension type seahorse breeding structure 100: Rearing tank 101: Inner bottom surface of the breeding tank 102: Outlet 103: Sleep 200: Bottom base frame 210: Support Spacer 220: Lower clearance space 300: Top float member 310: Sealed hollow section 320: Float casing 330: Support line connecting ring 400: Linear support line 410: Circular section 500: Horizontal spacing ring 510: Ring-support line joint 600: Unit rearing cell 700: Hippocampus 710: Seahorse's tail 720: Bone plates and epidermis of the hippocampus 800: Rearing water 810: Flow direction 820: Deaeration water inlet

Claims

Claim 1 A vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure vertically positioned inside a rearing tank so that a seahorse can wrap its tail around and settle, comprising: a lower base frame having a predetermined weight to sink to the lower part of the rearing tank; an upper float member spaced vertically apart from the lower base frame and generating lift that attempts to rise upward through its own buoyancy within the rearing water; and a plurality of linear support lines vertically connecting the lower base frame and the upper float member, maintaining a state in which taut vertical tension is applied by the interaction between the lift of the upper float member and the weight of the lower base frame; wherein a plurality of horizontal spacer rings are fixedly connected to the plurality of linear support lines at predetermined vertical intervals across the section between the lower base frame and the upper float member, thereby providing a three-dimensional vertical rearing space to which the seahorse can attach to the plurality of linear support lines. Claim 2 A vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of linear support lines are evenly spaced such that the distance between the centers of two adjacent support lines is within the range of 15 mm or more and 50 mm or less, and the sum of the horizontal projected cross-sectional areas of all the plurality of linear support lines is set to be 10% or less of the horizontal internal cross-sectional area of ​​the rearing tank, and each linear support line has a circular cross-section to minimize drag against flowing water, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a dead zone in the underwater fluid flow when the flow of rearing water entering the rearing tank passes through the structure. Claim 3 A vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of support spacers are provided at the lower portion of the lower base frame to space the lower base frame from the inner bottom surface of the rearing tank by a predetermined distance, and a flow path is secured through the lower space formed by the support spacers so that sediment and excrement settled on the bottom surface of the rearing tank can move smoothly toward the discharge port without vortex or reduction in flow velocity. Claim 4 A vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of linear support lines are made of a non-toxic soft polymer material that prevents damage to the seahorse's skin and provides friction, have a diameter of 1 mm to 5 mm in response to the seahorse's tail-twisting habit, and are colored in a black or dark green color to maximize visual brightness contrast with the prey organism being fed to induce a feeding response in the seahorse. Claim 5 A vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the plurality of linear support lines are made of an elastomeric polymer material with a Shore A hardness of 20 to 60 to disperse local concentrated stress applied to the joint structure of the seahorse's tail bony plates, and have a surface roughness (Ra) within the range of 1.6 μm to 12.5 μm to provide sufficient frictional grip when the seahorse's tail is coiled while suppressing contact wear with epidermal scales, and maintain a continuous convex surface without sharp edges, burrs, or steps over the entire outer circumference of the support lines to maximize the surface contact area with the soft tissue inside the seahorse's tail, and have a bending elastic recovery rate of 80% or more so that the support lines can be restored to their original straight shape even after the seahorse relaxes its tail and detaches from the support lines. Claim 6 A vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the entire structure is modularized into a single assembly, and when the upper float member is lifted to the upper surface of the rearing tank, the upper float member, the plurality of linear support lines, and the lower base frame are towed as a single unit, allowing for external removal and high-pressure washing without the process of draining the rearing water. Claim 7 A vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that when the flow of degassed rearing water flowing into the rearing tank to prevent gas bubble disease passes through the structure, the plurality of linear support lines minimize fluid resistance to prevent local imbalance of dissolved gas partial pressure within the rearing tank. Claim 8 A vertical tension-type seahorse rearing structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of horizontal spacing maintenance rings are arranged in multiple stages at vertical intervals of 80 mm or more and 150 mm or less, corresponding to the standard body length of one adult seahorse, so that the section between two adjacent horizontal spacing maintenance rings is partitioned into a unit culture cell, which is a dedicated vertical occupancy area for one seahorse, and the horizontal spacing maintenance rings are connected to the outer side of each of the plurality of linear support lines to maintain a constant horizontal spacing distance between adjacent support lines, thereby blocking the tail reach range in the horizontal direction from reaching the adjacent support lines, and the horizontal spacing maintenance rings themselves function as additional gripping substrates on which the seahorse can wrap its tail horizontally and settle, and the combination of the vertical support line sections and the horizontal spacing maintenance rings distributed three-dimensionally within the unit culture cell forms a three-dimensional vertical rearing space while structurally blocking the entanglement of multiple seahorses by mutual tail wrapping in both vertical and horizontal directions.

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