Considering seahorse/pipefish tank, please help me make the right choice!

DamnPepShrimp

DamnPepShrimp

Moved On
I want to set up a nice unique bedroom tank (already have a 110g mixed reef, have a 360g that will eventually be a FO) so I'd like something different. I've narrowed it down to 2 options, a peacock mantis shrimp or a seagrass tank with seahorses/pipefish.

If I went the seahorse pipefish tank, could both be kept together? My biggest problem is my tank, the biggest I have and would use is a 40b. I am only using tanks I have laying around and the tallest/biggest tank is 40b, which is only 16" tall. Is that too short? I would add many algaes (caulerpa etc) and gorgonians to the tank, make it as naturally looking as possible and have many places for the seahorses to perch on. I would have a HOB skimmer, HOB aquafuge (could constantly add pods from my main tank) and probably a HOB filter (emperor 280, maybe with liverock rubble in it). As far as lights go, they don't like bright lights right? I have an NO T5 fixture I could use, 42w total (10k and actinic bulbs, 21w each), maybe add a NO flourscent actinic as well?

If this all sounds good (if it doesn't what has to change?) what seahorses and pipefish should I be looking at getting for a small tank? Also can anyone give me any advice/tips on maintainence/feedings etc etc? Thanks for all your help, I need to do as much research as possible before even considering getting anything.
 
You would need to choose either seahorses or pipefish. There are a lot of disease risks in mixing species of syngnathid, stemming from species-specific bacteria; and there are also parasite risks associated with mixing WC syngnathids with CB syngnathids; and in the states, all pipes are WC (and I would hope you would be getting CB seahorses). For beginners, the best way to go is to pick one species of seahorse or one species of pipefish, and avoid the disease issues.

You are right that the tank is short for seahorses, however it is probably do-able as long as you keep a shallow sandbed (1" or less). They may not successfully breed in a tank with only 15" of water, but they should have plenty of vertical swimming room. The tank is not short for pipefish; pipes would be fine.

Seahorses don't need bright lighting, and many species don't appreciate very bright lights; but tolerance depends on species. I would steer away from anything too high like MH, both due to the tolerance of the sh, and also due to the added heat and difficulty keeping your tank at the required 70-74 degrees. The gorgonians and macro algaes do need lighting; but standard T-5 should be fine.

If you go with seahorses, you will want to get captive bred. They are healthier, stronger, parasite-free, and trained to frozen mysis. Captive bred are NOT the "Tank Raised" seahorses that come to your LFS from wholesalers. Good captive bred seahorses can be obtained from hobbiests on the forums and from www.seahorsesource.com. Good seahorses to start with would be H. erectus or H. reidi.

One thing to consider is that if you choose seahorses, you will have to keep the tank between 70-74 degrees.
 
Wow, thank you for the detailed response, exactly what I was looking for. I think seahorses are out of the question, so it looks like it would be pipefish IF go that route. I am still leaning towards the mantis shrimp just for easy of caring for. What does a typical pipefish habitat consist of? I know that is a pretty basic question, but what is different from them and seahorses? Temps, corals, algaes, gorgonians, etc? Lighting/filtration? Thanks for you help, it is much appreciated!
 
Thanks for your help, I will do some reading up. I think I am going to go with the mantis just for ease of care. But I will do the research anyway on seahorses/pipefish. Maybe when I am ready, there will be a way to have to two in the same tank, thanks.

edit, btw those links aren't working for me.
 
Thats odd, the links are working for me. They are links to threads on pipefish habitats in the "Pipefish and Seahorse Relatives" forum on seahorse.org.

You can keep pipefish and seahorses together, it is just harder. You need to de-worm the pipefish over a 6 week quarantine period; and then introduce the seahorses and pipefish slowly through water transfers. Cooler temperatures, a UV sterilizer, and lots of water changes also improve your chances of success; as does getting the pipes to eat well while in quarantine and providing them with lots of natural foods to graze on. Choosing pipes and seahorses from the same natural habitat would also help a great deal.
 
Maybe you have to be a member to access those links they don't work for me either. What is the deal you can only join seahorse .org on wednesday?
 
You should be able to read the threads in the forum and the articles in the library even without being a member. I don't have any idea about the joining on Wednesdays thing.
 
Itried to get in there on thurs it would not let me read anything or join it said you can only join on wednesday so I will see what happens next wed
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11925694#post11925694 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Big load
Itried to get in there on thurs it would not let me read anything or join it said you can only join on wednesday so I will see what happens next wed
Click to expand...

You can still register any day of the week. Just go to the bottom of the registration page and accept the terms, then continue on with the registration process.

New registrations are coming through everyday.
 
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