Hybrid Seahorse Reproduction

[Seahorses]

Today I recieved 4 erectus x reidi hybrids. I had asked questions about
H. taeniopterus about a month ago, but the website I ordered them from said that their taeniopterus didn't pass inspection before shipping. So in their place I recieved the hybrids. I just want to know, can two hybrids breed and have babies, and if they do, would they develop completely?

 

[Northside Reef]

I see mine doing a mating dance I have the same Erectus/Reidi. I had asked Dan at seahorsesource.com he did not say they could not breed so I assume they can. My concern is I am not ready for them to.

 

[DanU]

I have one documented case of it happening. Generation 2 did fine. There is not a lot of knowledge on cross breeding with seahorses. One researcher I spoke with today said sources in the orient have found that offspring from hybrids breed readily. I don't know this to be the case first hand as my experience is only one brood. Assuming that they do produce, the fry from the hybrids will be much easier to rear than the H. kuda (taeniopterus).

Dan

 

[Seahorses]

Well I'll just see if they breed... What raising requirements do you think the babies would need? Would I raise them by reidi care or erectus care?

 

[Northside Reef]

I have one documented case of it happening. Generation 2 did fine. There is not a lot of knowledge on cross breeding with seahorses. One researcher I spoke with today said sources in the orient have found that offspring from hybrids breed readily. I don't know this to be the case first hand as my experience is only one brood. Assuming that they do produce, the fry from the hybrids will be much easier to rear than the H. kuda (taeniopterus).

Dan

Why would they be easier?

Edit:
AH NM I did not understand the context of that answer. His original plan was H. kuda.

 

[DanU]

We raise all of our fry in the same type of system, round 90 gal tubs. The only difference is the first food and for how long. The hybrids we started off on copepods between 120 to 500 microns at 1,000 per fry per day for the first week. Then we overlapped with enriched artemia. Kuda & Reidi we normally keep them on the copepods for 2 weeks before the artemia.

Dan

 

[tjdouglas]

I picked up two reidi x erectus hybrids at my lfs a couple of weeks ago. They are doing very well, but I was surprised to find them. I have never seen them available before. Are they suddenly becoming available?

 

[DanU]

No, there is a very limited supply. A researcher at FIT found that when she kept H. reidi and H. erectus in the same tank they ended up cross breeding. She raised some of the fry and gave us half to try to rear. We were both successful. There is a short article on it http://************.com/2013/05/14/hybrid-seahorse-hippocampus/. There maybe some additional research on hybridization. We are undecided if we want to intentionally continue with them.

About 5 to 6 years ago, another facility had a similar thing happen. They gave us the fry to try to rear. We let our daughter, who was around 15 at the time, rear them. We still have a couple left in a personal display tank.

Dan

 

[DanU]

For some reason, site won't post the url correctly. The article is on Reef Builders.

Dan

 

[tjdouglas]

Thanks Dan, for the great info!

 

[Mo2]

I picked up two reidi x erectus hybrids at my lfs a couple of weeks ago. They are doing very well, but I was surprised to find them. I have never seen them available before. Are they suddenly becoming available?

Which store did you find them? I thought I had a pair of hybrids too, but they were actually CB Reidi.

 

[tjdouglas]

Hi Mo2 - I bought them at Age of Aquariums - in Signal Hill

 

[btreyes]

My reidi-erectus hybrid male is trying really hard to breed with one of my mature females... I'll keep people posted if she ever gives into his courting.

 

[Seahorses]

I hope they breed! Then maybe mine will have a chance!

 

[TamiW]

For some reason, site won't post the url correctly. The article is on Reef Builders.

I know this is an old thread, but as an aside, this is the reason you can't post anything linking to RB. http://bit.ly/13o4sbk