Seahorses

[ringo495]

Hey im pretty inexperienced, and i was just wondering what was your guys' opinions on the difficulty of raising seahorses. Is there any species that would be suitable for a beginner to saltwater?

[charlie]

The dwarf tank raised are the way to go, but if you are gonna do seahorses, make it a species specific tank, they do not compete well with anybody else for food. I don't think any of the local stores carry them.

[tehfeer]

If you do decide to do sea horses make sure you do some serious research. If you do not buy tank bred/raised they will not eat frozen food. Most require cooler temps and a tall tank is required.

[returnofsid]

As Charlie and Tehfeer said, Seahorses require a totally different environment than our reef tanks. Most do require cooler water, light flow, subdued lighting...etc. Dwarf Seahorses are very cool, but will almost always require live feeding. Unfortunately, Brine shrimp aren't very nutritious, so other live food sources will need to be found.

The larger species of seahorses are usually easier to feed, and most will eat non-living foods.

Tankmates is pretty crucial as well, as most fish will be too competitive, not leaving any food for the slow eating seahorses.

Here's a couple great links to get you started:
Seahorse.org (Powered by Invision Power Board)
syngnathid.org - Seahorses, Sea-Dragons, Pipefish, and more!

[DevonM]

I was kind of thinking of putting sea horses or a colored angler in my 90 fuge. Pretty low flow and there's nothing in it. Kind of extreme different ideas for creatures to put in the fuge . I have a friend who had two black 3" horses and they wiped out a 50 gal. tank full of pods, or at least I think they ate them all since they were the only inhabitants. I think a 90 would support enough live food for the horses. Any thoughts on this? I wouldn't want to completely wipe out my pod population (that's why a colored angler is in the runnings) but I think the pods would still be able to thrive in my chaeto.

Did anyone see Kevin's pistol shrimp pare vid on youtube? I think these would be a pretty cool addition with sea horses.

[tehfeer]

The only problem I can think of is the water temp in your fuge. The height is pretty good on that tank so you should be ok with that. They usually suggest keeping sea horses in cooler temps to help avoid diseases and infections.I believe they also require a few things to grab on to with their tails. You may want to take a look at the 2 sea horse sites that were linked in the pervious email. I have read quite a bit since my wife really wanted sea horses but the cooler water temp requirement has somewhat put that on hold.

[DevonM]

What are the recommended temps? My tank runs between 75-77. Also, what was the deal with tank height?

The only problem I can think of is the water temp in your fuge. The height is pretty good on that tank so you should be ok with that. They usually suggest keeping sea horses in cooler temps to help avoid diseases and infections.I believe they also require a few things to grab on to with their tails. You may want to take a look at the 2 sea horse sites that were linked in the pervious email. I have read quite a bit since my wife really wanted sea horses but the cooler water temp requirement has somewhat put that on hold.

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[returnofsid]

Because Seahorses are oriented up and down, instead of sideways, like most fish, deeper tanks are better for them.

Tank temps will vary quite a bit, depending on species, but most are need slightly cooler temps than our reef tanks. Some need even sub-tropical temps. Mixing species can even be difficult, because of the widely differing temperature requirements. The 2 links I provided to seahorse forums will give you all kinds of information.

They don't need a large tank at all. 2 in a 20 tall would be perfect. If you have a refugium for pod growth, even better. A 20 tall, with a HOB CPR Aquafuge, full of Chaeto would be great. They do need "things" to hitch to. Some people use artificial coral structures, some use Macro Algaes, Gorgonians...etc.

[lostcreekreefer]

.......or a colored angler in my 90 fuge........Kind of extreme different ideas for creatures to put in the fuge.

Devon- where'd ya come up with the angler for an idea...what weird looking fish!

[tehfeer]

Something else to remember if you put fish in your fuge they will decimate your pod population.

[DevonM]

Devon- where'd ya come up with the angler for an idea...what weird looking fish!

I think they are very cool looking, kind of a chameleon of the sea. Too bad they don't change color I just like their slow nature and voracious appetite.

Something else to remember if you put fish in your fuge they will decimate your pod population.

I was think that I could partition my 90 to create a refuge in the fuge for the pods. I'm also a big fan of sea fans so that would be cool to have as a horse hitching post.