Looking For Captive-Bred Seahorses

Key Equine · #1 01-31-2009, 02:06 PM

Thank you all for your input! I agree with the comments about Red Coral Aquariums, that is were I have gotten all my supplies so far, and Kevin and Doug are both so friendly and informative. I will discuss it with Kevin next time I'm in.
If I was to order the seahorses from Ocean Rider in Hawaii (my #1 pick of seahorse farms because I have been there and know exactly what I'd be getting), I would have to drive down into the States to pick them up. Does anyone know how it would work to get them across the border by car? Do I pretty much have to smuggle them? That would make me nervous...

Pan · #2 01-31-2009, 09:50 PM

There are two options, declare them or don't

If you can get them ordered in from said place in hawaii from a store that might be an option? I've had friends who've ordered there and are happy and unhappy. But that is simply due to shipping. One pair made it the other did not, which i will reiterate was not the shippers fault...not at all. Just simply bad luck. Personally I have brought livestock over the border without being caught. I also purchased a dog from idaho..a Kelpie and did not declare him, din't look into it either. You can always say they were a gift

But i am not sure of the import rules on horses, which is why I used a canadian supplier, again who no longer exists. Maybe you will luck out and someone will want to sell theirs

If i remember right seahorses are on cites since around 2004-05 ?

so on second thought, i would not cross the border with them

There was a guy...on aquariumpros....Aaron ? i think who had CB Horses....but i never really looked into it.

chandigz · #3 01-31-2009, 09:59 PM

Yes, seahorses require a cities permit.

nanoreefer · #4 02-01-2009, 01:53 AM

its illegal to bring them accross the border withought a cites permit wich is next to impossible to get let alone for a couple SHs, i was thinking of getting some from down there but too nervus to bring them back, i thought of getting a bunch of dwarfs and putting them in a water bottle or something

Key Equine · #5 02-01-2009, 02:27 AM

Yeah, that sounds a bit too risky for me... I'll have to continue researching Canadian sources. Thanks everyone for your advice!

Diana · #6 02-01-2009, 02:30 AM

J&L has captive raised H. reidi and H. angustus from Australia right now (H. kuda as well but aren't doing as well). The H. barbouri from the same Australian shipment did not do as well. The reidi and angustus are doing great, eating like pigs, have not lost one yet, and have been in store nearly 2 months. Many babies from the reidis. I have kept seahorses for years, and these two species look to be quite healthy, so if you are considering ordering them I would not hesitate. They have been put on separate tank systems although the odd w/c fish gets put on the same system.

The angustus are smaller but very colorful, and suprisingly have not lost any of thier bright orange or yellow color (I thought they would change like the reidi usually do, but so far they are still vibrant).

-Diana