Compatibility of SH with Reef safe fish

[yraveh]

After housing my SH in a seperate tank for a week (20G), I tied to introduce them to my main reef tank (120G).

Here is a link to my SH http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=9619385#post9619385

I was shocked to see 2 of my clown species attack my Kuda. Even the H. Erectus was bothered by some fish.
I returned them back to their seperate tank.

Is there information about compatibility of SH's with Reef safe fish?

 

[fishymann]

seahorse.org go to their library and read their tank mate list. clowns are a big big no no

 

[yraveh]

Oh ! I was fooled by the fact that at the LFS they lived for a while in a very big tank with some big fish (huge yellow tang) and some anemone.

I know better now

 

[Duddly01]

Actually I believe clowsn are not all considered a no no. The only exception being Ocellaris and maybe True Percula. But even then it is with caution, but mainly for eating reasons. Other clowns would certainly not be safe with seahorses. I am actually surprised you are getting away with two clown species in a 120gal.

 

[ann83]

Here is a good article on appropriate and inappropriate tankmates http://www.seahorse.org/library/articles/tankmates.shtml
I am very suprised your LFS kept them with anemones, they are very dangerous to seahorses. I am also concerned that you might not understand SH needs if you put them in a reef tank. The seahorses shouldn't be kept at temperatures above 74 degrees F, and can get blown around easily if there is very high flow.

 

[cmsargent]

Clowns are not a good idea with seahorses. They are too aggressive and territorial. There may be a few people who have keep some of the less agressive clown species with seahorese but it's not a good idea. Neither are the tangs or most other reef fish for that matter. Any fish that is an aggressive feeder and/or fast darring swimmer is not a good match with seahorse. They are slow eaters and easily outcompeated for food. Additionally when they are frieghten (by the fast swimming fish) thier instinct is to hide. If they're in a reef with lots of large fast fish they'll hide all the time, not even coming out to eat.

So basically they'll be stressed and malnourished. Add to that the increased chance of infections at reef temps and the result is sick and dying seahorses.

Oh and if your reef has any stinging coral, like most SPSs, LPS, or anemones the seahorse will likley be stung. They try to hitch to everything including these corals. Some stings may kill them outright others will irritate them and cause skin wounds which are likely to lead to deadly infections.

 

[yraveh]

My wife met a man in the LFS that claimed that he housed his seahorses in his reef tank and that they are the main attraction for visitors.
I have a dedicated tank for them.

 

[cmsargent]

Yep I hear lots of stories of the but my friend's friend said he had seahorses in his reef. I always wonder though how long the seahorses lived. They may survive for awhile but they're going to be unhealthly over the long term. Seahorses should live 5+ years but you rarely see or hear of anyone keeping them that long. A seahorse surviving for a couple of months in a reef tank is not a success story.

 

[panmanmatt]

After going and looking at your first thread, I would say you don't have an erectus seahorse. That picture looks way more reidi than erectus. The markings are all wrong for erectus. Erectus have very thin lines and a very deep barrel chest. Reidi have the bandings that are shown in your picture.

I will agree that the other is a juvenile kuda. They both have the same tank requirements so that is one thing you have in your favor. Of course both species will also reach 8-12 inches in size when full grown so 20 gallon tank will not be enough for them long term. I'd look at a 29 gallon as the minimum for them.

The advice you have been given on tankmates and mixing is dead on. ALL clownfish are nothing more than damsels in fancy pajamas and we all know how territorial and aggressive damsels are.