Seahorse ?

CHEAPREEF · #1 04-04-2003, 02:44 PM

I'm debating putting seahorses in my new setup. They would go in a seperate tank, under the main tank. The volume will be around 14 gal, what species would be good for that size tank? And what type of fish would be ok to have as tank mates. I was thinking Percs but i'm not sure if they are too aggresive or not. Thanks for any help.

Clinton

BCOrchidGuy · #2 04-05-2003, 03:10 AM

I'm no expert on Seahorses but I have been doing alot of reading on them, as for tank mates, there isn't much that will go with them. Everything will get along with them, it's what they will get along with.

Seahorses are slow feeders and slow movers, Percs are too active and there wouldn't be much food left over for them. In my opinion Seahorses should only be kept in either a species tank or with something like pipefish, which feed the same way as Seahorses. My understanding of the pipefish though is that they are very hard to keep.

As for which species, thats a hard call, I've read that dwarf seahorses will do really well in a 2.5 - 5 gallon tank, a 5 gallon tank should hold 3 pair easy. A 2.5 will hold 2 pair and some offspring. The larger ones need more vertical room, a taller tank is better than a long tank for them. The Hex aquariums would be really good for them in my opinion.

See my post about Seahorses local, Emily gave me a link to a breeder in Calgary, she may be able to steer you in the right direction.

naesco · #3 04-05-2003, 04:59 PM

Under no circumstances should you consider buying a wild caught seahorse.
All it does is encourage the irresponsible LFS and online stores who bring them in to bring more of them in.

CHEAPREEF · #4 04-05-2003, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naesco

Under no circumstances should you consider buying a wild caught seahorse.
All it does is encourage the irresponsible LFS and online stores who bring them in to bring more of them in.

Hadn't gotten that far yet, but i was going to try and buy tank raised they should be way easier to keep and feed. Tank dimentions are going to be 14LX12WX19H, does this sound like a good size, i could make it higher if it need to be. I think i might just stick with just seahorses and a few branching corals (gargonia ect) for them to hitch too.

Clinton

BCOrchidGuy · #5 04-05-2003, 06:26 PM

Seahorses are appendix 2 now, meaning the import of wild caught ones will be or is illegal. Although some may not agree with me on that, I've heard it from TWO reputable fish stores and it was published in FAMA Feb 2003.

The tank height should be fine unless you go with the larger Seahorses, if you go with dwarfs the tank will be massive for them, and they may have trouble finding food. The medium sizes should do fine in that, the hitching post idea is great, if they don't have adequate places to hitch they will hitch to each other, this can irritate them. They don't seem to mind another hitching tails but they seem to get cranky if another horse hitches on their snout or belly.... actually anything above the tail seems to annoy them.

Beverly · #6 04-05-2003, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCOrchidGuy

the hitching post idea is great, if they don't have adequate places to hitch they will hitch to each other, this can irritate them. They don't seem to mind another hitching tails but they seem to get cranky if another horse hitches on their snout or belly.... actually anything above the tail seems to annoy them.

For our 2.5 gal, I'm now half-considering mini horses, if available locally, that is, along with a few other factors.

What makes good hitching posts? I've got Tonga branch rock and a chunk of halimeda in the 2.5. Would these be suitable? Here are some photos of the tank. Suitable, do you think?

http://www.lostmymarblz.com/2.5galreef.htm

I would have to remove the aggressive feeding clear peppermint shrimp, though, if seahorses were to be added.

BCOrchidGuy · #7 04-06-2003, 01:33 AM

I've got 3 peppermint shrimp in with 8 Black Kuda's the Kuda's get plenty of food. Locally for you try http://www.aquaparadice.com/ EmilyB gave me the link, they are in Calgary I think.
I think your tonga rock is to thick for the smaller horses but it is really hard to tell. Some things you could use are (cough) artificial or dead coral (cough) can't believe I just said that. Mine are all hitching on LR and Calupera so you have lots of options.

EmilyB · #8 04-06-2003, 03:57 AM

Be sure to spend some time on seahorse.org, where you will be able to talk to people who have kept horses for years.

Beverly · #9 04-06-2003, 01:27 PM

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions.

I don't think dwarfs are available locally, and might pass on keeping horses altogether. That is, unless I convert our 7gal bowfront into a horse tank. Doing so would take time to set up the proper environment, and I'm not sure I want to dismantle the current well-established setup to keep animals I'm not at all experienced with.

I'll do lots more reading, check the lfs for current stock to see how healthy the horses are and what they're being fed, then try to make the right decision.

Thanks again.

BCOrchidGuy · #10 04-06-2003, 07:50 PM

Beverly, one thing I can tell you is that Seahorses are very charming but they aren't all together exciting. They appear delicate and almost helpless, but they have a look of regalness to them... (is that a word?)

I'm happy with mine, and I may also get into the dwarfs, the idea of a 1inch long adult seahorse just tickles my fancy.