Do seahorses need a sandy substrate or can it be a bare bottom tank?

[Reefbox]

Do seahorses need a sandy substrate or can it be a bare bottom tank?

I'm planning on keeping H. Erectus from southern waters and I was thinking it might be easier to keep the tank cleaner with a bare bottom tank.


Thanks

 

[Duddly01]

You can keep them in a barebottom tank. They do not need the sand in any way. I do believe it is recommended to paint the underside when running barebottom. Makes it easier for them to see any food there and for you to clean it.

 

[David123]

No commercial systems have substrate, easier by far with no sand/crushed coral, whatever.

 

[Reefbox]

Thanks


david,
What do the commercial people put in the tyank for the seahorses to hold onto?

i was thinking about putting some clay tiles their that have calerpa growing on them for the horses to grab onto.

Thanks again

 

[mollymonticello]

Lots of hobbyist use plastic plants or fake corals for holdfasts. You can find some very convincing ones for sale.

 

[David123]

Mostly fishing net, depending on the size of the horse the net size will change.

Either that or rope.

The beauty is its so easy to remove and sterilise before putting back into the water, remember tho, commercial systems are not built for pretty, on the other hand, there is nothing to distract from the beauty of the horses.

 

[OverDose3]

seahorse

seahorse

I've seen the nets, they work just fine.