collecting

[quonnie]

Has anyone ever collected and kept seahorses and piefish from the New England area?

 

[CNoonan]

For years I have tried collecting seahorses and pipes the NJ area waters.

I have seined, I have snorkled, I have stood on a dock with a net and a flash light in areas with alot of grass. I was always able to catch a few pipefish, and a couple seahorses- but this year the seahorse population must be doing pretty damn well.

Last weekend I went out and I could have caught 2 dozen H. Erectus if I wanted.

 

[Elysia]

I know of multiple people who have collected from the Long Island area, but not many who have collected much north of that. They are there, somewhere (someone reported seeing some in Rhode Island within the past year or so.)

 

[quonnie]

I just think we overlook what we have in our own back yard and think it might be cool to have a tank with "local" stuff in it. Sponges, urchins, crabs, hermits, fish seaweed and snails. The price is right!

 

[CNoonan]

I'm sure you could adapt seahorses into a tropical reef setup.. One that is dedicated to seahorses of course.

The areas I have collected H. Erectus in were very shallow so the water has been any where from 76-82 degrees.

 

[quonnie]

Have your locally caught critter survived or am I subjecting tem to a slow death.

 

[ReefNutPA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15405451#post15405451 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CNoonan
I'm sure you could adapt seahorses into a tropical reef setup.. One that is dedicated to seahorses of course.

The areas I have collected H. Erectus in were very shallow so the water has been any where from 76-82 degrees.

Once again, our tiny boxes of water are NOT the ocean. H. erectus can be found in the ocean at those temperatures where the vast ocean dilutes any bacterial issues. In an aquarium, we don't have that luxury. And long-term, it is a receipe for disaster - especially with WC seahorses.

Just check out the two dedicated seahorse sites and you will see the many, many posts of bacterial infections.... the majority made by those keeping their seahorses at high temperatures "because that's where they are found in the ocean".

Tom

 

[ReefNutPA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15484106#post15484106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by quonnie
Have your locally caught critter survived or am I subjecting tem to a slow death.

I had WC Erectus caught in/around Long Island I believe. I had them for just about 3 years at a temp of 72F. They were all eating frozen mysis, and did very well. They were adults when I got the 6 of them, so I have no idea of their actual age.

As long as they are cared for properly and are healthy/eating the proper foods - you are not subjecting them to a slow death.

Tom

 

[CNoonan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15485684#post15485684 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefNutPA
Once again, our tiny boxes of water are NOT the ocean. H. erectus can be found in the ocean at those temperatures where the vast ocean dilutes any bacterial issues. In an aquarium, we don't have that luxury. And long-term, it is a receipe for disaster - especially with WC seahorses.

Just check out the two dedicated seahorse sites and you will see the many, many posts of bacterial infections.... the majority made by those keeping their seahorses at high temperatures "because that's where they are found in the ocean".

Tom

I agree, temperature could be an issue with H. Combs.
I have kept H. Erectus and H. Zost for many many years at around 76-78*.

 

[namxas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15486037#post15486037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CNoonan
I agree, temperature could be an issue with H. Combs.
I have kept H. Erectus and H. Zost for many many years at around 76-78*.

actually, H. comes (i assume that's what you mean) is a tropical species and should be kept below 74*F which is the same temp recommended for all tropical species.

 

[quonnie]

My tanks are in the basement and I would not run a heater with this tank except in the winter when the basement gets to like 60. So Temps won't be a problem.

 

[David123]

Run the heater, makes for a much more stable tank, and that is a big part of the key to success, stability.