DD steppin up the scorpionfish this week

[FMarini]

A fine assortment of fun scorpionfish this week.
Ghoul
(http://www.liveaquaria.com/DiversDen/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=1105480

colored dwarf fuzzy
(http://www.liveaquaria.com/DiversDen/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=110542)

leaf fish
(http://www.liveaquaria.com/DiversDen/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=110311)

2 Fu man chu lions
http://www.liveaquaria.com/DiversDen/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=110248

and a teeny tiny D. Barberi (not even w red eyes)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/DiversDen/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=110541

 

[Fibinotchi]

Holy cow Frank, yes they are, and I would love to have every one of them. I think my head is going to explode:blown:.

Which one is your favorite?

 

[namxas]

I'd have to go with the ghoul, the juvie barberi, and the newer (brighter orange) biocellatus.

It's kind of getting to be "scorp season" again...late winter/early spring seems to be the best times of year for them.

 

[jarrod13]

Anybody picking up any of these? I see the ghoul is already gone

 

[ashtree68]

I got a yellow leaf fish they had posted a week or so ago. Wish I would have seen the ghoul.

 

[Mental1]

I have to set up my 135g before I can get any more scorps. I decided that I would have the 135g be standalone and transfer the fu's, the fuzzy and melanurus wrasse in there. I could then add a couple more of the smaller lions. Then I would turn my current 65g lion tank into a seahorse pipefish tank!

 

[namxas]

Sherrie,

If you've never kept Syngnathids, I suggest you start researching the perils of mixing Syngnathid species, esp. since there are no CB pipes available commercially in the US. Mixing CB and WC species tosses yet another hurdle into the mix.

 

[Mental1]

Thanks for the heads up Greg. I have not started the research yet. I am probably six months away - at least-- from doing this. What would you recommend as reading? Is there a specific reference for the downside of mixing the two?

 

[Mental1]

Never mind -- there's lots of references in the Seahorse and Pipefish forum. I will read. Looks from a cursory gaze that bacteria is the prime issue. Will read on....

 

[namxas]

Yes, the biggest problem is bacterial infections. Many Syngnathids carry "species-specific bacteria" that they are immune to, however, to other species, it can be deadly, or at the least, problematic.

Add to this the fact that to have the best SH experience, you'll be wanting to get TRUE CB stock from a reputable breeder such as SEAHORSE SOURCE (my personal recommendation...Dan's stock is top notch, and his service is second to none).

Your pipes would be WC, and CB specimens won't have the immunity to all of the things that the pipes have been exposed to.

Along similar lines, be sure that you keep your setup cool enuff. I'd run 74*F max for tropical SH species (our chiller turns on at 75*F).

I can help you out with any questions once you get closer to setting up the tank. Renee and I used to raise SH, but now we just keep a couple around just because it would feel weird not to have any.

Here's a shot that I like to use to make some "passionate SH keepers" cringe...altho the "SH party line" kinda frowns on it, SH actually make decent tankmates for smaller scorps and wasps (the brasiliensis is no longer in the same tank, as it's growing out now).

 

[Mental1]

Ahhh -- that may be the kink in the armor then. This would be kept at 78 degrees as it is part of my reef tank system. I have completely taken this thread off track -- I posted in the seahorse forum if you want to chat there!