Gargonians and sponges with seahorses

[yraveh]

My LFS owner claims that Gargonians and sponges should be added to a seahorses aquarium. Something to do with the color of the animals.
Is there any basis for this claim? if positive -- any preferred sponge?

 

[ReefNutPA]

No - no basis for that claim I don't keep either in with my horses, which are pale yellow in color. You don't NEED to keep either. Sponges rarely survive long-term. If you like the look of sponge, there are many life-like decorations available at many LFS or online vendors.

It IS true that with brightly colored decor and hitching spots seahorses are more likely to show colors other than black/brown. However, they don't have to be live hitching spots or decor.

Tom

 

[yraveh]

Thanks Tom.
what are "hitching spots seahorses "?

 

[ReefNutPA]

Sorry...excuse my punctuation. That should have been "It IS true that with brightly colored decor and hitching spots, seahorses...." I forgot the comma Didn't mean to confuse you.

Tom

 

[c-horseman]

gorgonions are tough enough in a coral-only tank; seahorses tend to be dirty and gorgonions wouldn't last a couple months.

 

[vipjd39]

We have a few gorgonians in our tank and not only do the seahorses love them, but we have been able to successfully keep all of them long term. However, our tank is a 125 so water quality is kept pristine.

 

[cmsargent]

gorgonions are tough enough in a coral-only tank; seahorses tend to be dirty and gorgonions wouldn't last a couple months.

Not true. I have 8 different types of gorgs in my seahorse tank. Both photosynthetic and non-photo. I've had some almost a year now. I think gorgs do better in dirty water. The 'dirty' water in my tank is full of microscopic pods and such that the gorgs eat.

As long as your water isn't so bad that you have HA outbreaks everywhere you'll be fine keeping gorgs in the tank. Outbreaks of diatoms, cyano, and the like can be prevented just by providing good flow. I think a heavily feed 'dirty' tank is better for gorgs than a pristine reef tank.

 

[jklaw]

what type of gorgs do you have? and what do you feed your tank?
thanks,
john

 

[sloshesv]

I have 2 types of gorgonians in our SH tank for over a year now, and it's only 20 gallons. The SH's love them as hitching posts.

You can see them a little bit here:

 

[sunfishh]

Great pic sloshesv

 

[LisaD]

I like your leaf fish. I have two of them. I think they are great tankmates for seahorses.

 

[sloshesv]

Thank you, my friends. My 9 year old took that one to show her class. She may be a natural.