20g seahorse reef
- Thread starter salty bob
- Start date
namxas
Things With Stings R Us!
IF you can get them to live...the so-called TR kelloggi, which actually appear to be hybrids, have a dismal survival rate, even in the hands of very experienced keepers. Check the adult size of H. kelloggi...we're talking a 12" SH. I've kept SH in 18T's (20 XT), and I can tell you that even a pair of H. erectus or H. reidi are a pretty tight fit.
As mentioned, you'll want to keep the tank cooler...74*F max for tropicals. SH are very prone to bacterial infections, and in captive systems above 75*F, the bacterial count starts to get very high, esp. in a small system.
You'd do better to go with smaller TRUE CB SH species (erectus or reidi) from a reputable breeder such as Seahorse Source or Peka's Ponies. The LFS SH might be cheaper, but there's a cost of ownership that tends to make them MORE expensive (they may need to be weaned to frozen, they'll need prophylactic treatments in QT, and meds if they get sick...then if they die, you're out your $20-something).
As for seeing SH in a smaller tank that were doing fine...did you ask them if they're feeling cramped? My 12"+ adult volitans could probably live in a 20 gal, but it wouldn't be the best thing for it. IME, SH will use every bit of space they're given, esp. lateral space. The extra vertical space you mention typically comes into play when they mate.
As for tankmates...nothing that stings, pinches, will outcompete them for food, fast swimmers, or boisterous fish.
HTH
As mentioned, you'll want to keep the tank cooler...74*F max for tropicals. SH are very prone to bacterial infections, and in captive systems above 75*F, the bacterial count starts to get very high, esp. in a small system.
You'd do better to go with smaller TRUE CB SH species (erectus or reidi) from a reputable breeder such as Seahorse Source or Peka's Ponies. The LFS SH might be cheaper, but there's a cost of ownership that tends to make them MORE expensive (they may need to be weaned to frozen, they'll need prophylactic treatments in QT, and meds if they get sick...then if they die, you're out your $20-something).
As for seeing SH in a smaller tank that were doing fine...did you ask them if they're feeling cramped? My 12"+ adult volitans could probably live in a 20 gal, but it wouldn't be the best thing for it. IME, SH will use every bit of space they're given, esp. lateral space. The extra vertical space you mention typically comes into play when they mate.
As for tankmates...nothing that stings, pinches, will outcompete them for food, fast swimmers, or boisterous fish.
HTH
I agree with everything Greg mentioned, and as well I wanted to mention that for everyone that has succeeded in keeping them in a 20, and even with no other tank mates, there are many many more that perish in the attempts to do so.
For someone new to the hobby it's very hard to understand the husbandry required for a smaller than recommended tank as it requires closer scrutiny to keep it sufficiently clean than other fish tanks or reef tanks.
Human nature means that many people will get a bit lazy with tank maintenance if nothing has gone wrong over a period of time and a 20g tank doesn't leave room for any error(s).
For someone new to the hobby it's very hard to understand the husbandry required for a smaller than recommended tank as it requires closer scrutiny to keep it sufficiently clean than other fish tanks or reef tanks.
Human nature means that many people will get a bit lazy with tank maintenance if nothing has gone wrong over a period of time and a 20g tank doesn't leave room for any error(s).
Well it probably won't matter as kelloggi seldom last long enough to grow to their 12".
Tank raised means they are raised in large cement tanks and the water is pumped direct from the ocean into the tanks without proper treatment and filtration so the only advantage over wild caught is that they are trained to eat frozen foods usually.
The breeders aren't interested in treatment of the water for pathogens in it because what they sell to the hobby trade is just a drop in the bucket to what the great majority are used for, medicine trade, which doesn't matter about the pathogens.
Tank raised means they are raised in large cement tanks and the water is pumped direct from the ocean into the tanks without proper treatment and filtration so the only advantage over wild caught is that they are trained to eat frozen foods usually.
The breeders aren't interested in treatment of the water for pathogens in it because what they sell to the hobby trade is just a drop in the bucket to what the great majority are used for, medicine trade, which doesn't matter about the pathogens.
