Begginer species??

[Fairytail]

I originally decided on H. Erectus for my species. However I noticed at MarineDepotLive- they have this listed under the species:
Restricted Species. This species is very difficult to keep and should only be attempted by expert aquarists, or is a 'delicate shipper.' Our Stay Alive guarantee is not available on this item.

Are they okay for first time seahorse? I'm hoping whatever species I get, will breed and I can try my hand at raising fry. Thats one reason I chose H. Erectus because they are large enough to eat bbs. But does anybody else have any suggustions?
My other ideas are:
Potbellied seahorses
Hippocampus barbouri

 

[Jordan55]

I have heard that erectus are one of, if not the easiest kind to take care of. Also, they have a pretty easy fry raising level if you know what your doing.

Some other similar sea horses are Reidi and Kuda. I have heard that Kuda babies are hard to raise, not sure about Reidi.

 

[Fairytail]

Ok thanks- Thats what I THOUGHT, but them posting that under the info for the Erectus really threw me off.

 

[Jordan55]

Yea... they just post that so new reefers do not go out and buy sea horses and other more difficult species without doing extensive research.

 

[DanU]

Barbouri are probably the easiest to rear with erectus following. Although we find kuda easy most find both kuda and reidi difficult. As far as maintaining any of the above, as long as you buy CB you should do fine in any proper setup. You should find any of the true CB relatively easy to maintain compared to WC.

Dan

 

[Fairytail]

DanU,

What do Kuda and Reidi fry eat exactly?

 

[DanU]

CB specimens would eat frozen mysis. If you are referring to the fry, ideally they would begin on rotifers for the first few days and then on to artemia until converted over to mysis.

Dan

 

[Swanwillow]

*hehe* and buy erectus from danu-they are SO cute and hes highly recommended... but he won't say so himself!!! (errr-can't, either, probably)

I think he breeds kuda too...

and I didn't know barbs were easy breeders-why aren't there any? (I mean, CB specimins easily obtainable in the market?)

 

[DanU]

Barbs have largely been unavailable on the US market and they are very slow growers.

Dan

 

[Swanwillow]

that stinks, they are my FAVORITE breed!!!
(next to jacs, but thats a whole other can o worms)
ok, so how do we start importing them?!?!

 

[jnowell]

I saw Barbs available somewhere CB. My main goal is breeding them, so the long growout period made me change my mind. While on the subject, Dan, do you have any male erectus with cirri? I have the chance to get some females from a local breeder and all have cirri, would like to get some CB males from a different lineage with cirri also. I assume this would at least increase the chances that some of the fry would have them as well?

Thanks, PM me if it's not legal to discuss this in "public"