General
Patchy hippocampi are rare, found in one place only - the bottom of the great lakes in the Alveus region. They are closely related to kelpie hippocampi, and it is widely thought that the freshwater variety evolved separately as the oceans receded and left them stranded in the lakes. Perhaps due to the magical unrest in the Alvean region because of the magewars, their power over water pressure is less refined than their cousins, and they do not trust humans as readily. They are timid and flighty, and will not permit themselves to be put in any sort of harnesses. Their hooves are shockingly hard and their bodies are strong, and anyone, magi or not, must take great care when dealing with them in the wild. They prefer to keep with their own kind, and will take care to protect one another. One lash of their powerful tails can create enormous waves that can sink a small boat, and a wild patchy hippocampus will not hesitate to do so if they or others of their species feel threatened.
Egg
This egg has a powerful tail coming out of the shell.
Hatchling
Patchy hippocampus hatchlings prefer to remain in deep freshwater lakes, and rarely venture to the surface. They remain by their parents' side as long as possible, and only leave when they are strong enough to create small waves with their tails. Patchy hippocampus hatchlings do not show much evidence of their magical power over pressure, but are still very physically strong. Magi must take care around these hatchlings, as their small and fragile looks are deceptive and they can injure a person unintentionally very easily. Hatchlings must be convinced, with lots of food rewards and grooming, to stay near humans, as they naturally will stay far away.
Adult
It takes a lot of work and patience to raise a patchy hippocampus, but upon reaching adulthood, a magi will have a very powerful companion. Their magical power over pressure is wildly inconsistent, and their abilities can shift in strength by the day or even hour, going from barely being able to squish a sponge to being able to crush stone. It is unclear whether this is due to shifts in magical power, though, or simple willfulness by the hippocampus. Patchy hippocampi are absurdly physically strong, able to create whirlpools and waves with swings of their tails, but will not let themselves be ridden, nor will they ever pull any sort of craft. They will, however, swim by their magi at a distance, keeping them safe in the water, and will viciously attack anyone or anything that poses a threat to their magi. For all their unpredictability, Patchy hippocampus raised at the Keep have never once let a magi come to harm in the water.
Notes
Obtained from: Donation (Sep)
Breeding: Yes
Renaming cost: 2000 gold
Release date: September 1st 2016
Element: Water 
Breeds with the following:
Patchy Hippocampus + Patchy Hippocampus = Patchy Hippocampus (Guaranteed) Cost: 3 shards
Patchy Hippocampus + Kelpy Hippocampus = Patchy Hippocampus (Guaranteed) Cost: 3 shards
Patchy Hippocampus + Kelpy Hippocampus = Kelpy Hippocampus (Guaranteed) Cost: 3 shards
September 2016 3-shard Donation Pet
Sprite art: Tekla | Description: Raneth