Objective: To clarify the commercial original species of hippocampus in the market.
Method: Field survey and interview were applied to the investigation.
Result: Present study identified the main commercial hippocampus of 13 species, including Pharmacopoeia contained four kinds of hippocampus (without Hippocampus japonicus) listed in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and the identification method for the 13 kinds of commercially hippocampus was established.
Conclusion: The further research on hippocampus should be strengthened for the establishment of hippocampal quality control standard.