Live Food For Seahorses
- Thread starter chinta
- Start date
Ibwrasstaman
New member
I like florida Brineshrimp.
They have some brine and a shrimp better than ghost shrimp for sea horses.
I forgot the link, but google on the name and that should work.
Wrassta
They have some brine and a shrimp better than ghost shrimp for sea horses.
I forgot the link, but google on the name and that should work.
Wrassta
If you are in the US:
http://www.seawaterexpress.com/
This guy is very highly spoken of over at seahorse.org.
I just found this site so I have no idea of the quality. Someone here was looking for a source of salt water ghost shrimp and these guys have them. They are closer to the bottom of the page.
http://www.mariculturetechnology.com/Foods.htm
Fred
http://www.seawaterexpress.com/
This guy is very highly spoken of over at seahorse.org.
I just found this site so I have no idea of the quality. Someone here was looking for a source of salt water ghost shrimp and these guys have them. They are closer to the bottom of the page.
http://www.mariculturetechnology.com/Foods.htm
Fred
NanoLurker
Member
penaeus vannamei - seawaterexpress.com (my personal favorite, this is the staple of my horses diet. you can specify the size you want, i usually get a mix of 1/4" to 1/2")
mysids - seahorsesource.com or reed-mariculture.com (for variety)
seahorsesource.com has, at times, aquacultured SW feeder shrimp available (different from penaeus vannamei, used for variety as well)
mysids - seahorsesource.com or reed-mariculture.com (for variety)
seahorsesource.com has, at times, aquacultured SW feeder shrimp available (different from penaeus vannamei, used for variety as well)
pledosophy
Active member
IMo I'd use shrimp from George at Seawater Express, or use fresh water ghost shrimp.
IMO live brine is not a good food for adult seahorses.
IMO live brine is not a good food for adult seahorses.
JennyL
New member
Ray, your statement is misleading.
David recommends gut loading brine shrimp with vitamins and fed to the horses several times a week, rather than an exclusive diet of only PE mysis.
He has never said to stop feeding mysis. He also recommends variety in their diet which we all know is needed .
He is correct and the results are very healthy horses.
David recommends gut loading brine shrimp with vitamins and fed to the horses several times a week, rather than an exclusive diet of only PE mysis.
He has never said to stop feeding mysis. He also recommends variety in their diet which we all know is needed .
He is correct and the results are very healthy horses.
Last edited:
Sorry about that!
The point I wanted to make is that the brine shrimp ARE good for seahorses.
I'll have to try to find it but I'm sure that I've seen David post that PE mysis were TOO fat and Hikari were not as fat so would be the better choice. Hopefully that wasn't just a wrong interpretation (on my part that is) of what he wrote on the ORG.
The point I wanted to make is that the brine shrimp ARE good for seahorses.
I'll have to try to find it but I'm sure that I've seen David post that PE mysis were TOO fat and Hikari were not as fat so would be the better choice. Hopefully that wasn't just a wrong interpretation (on my part that is) of what he wrote on the ORG.
OK, I haven't yet found the thread I wanted.
However, in a couple of threads I just reread from Sept,
In a thread on frozen brine gut loaded with spirulina,
Hikari Frozen Spirulina Brine Shrimp
Ingredients:
Brine Shrimp, Spirulina, Water, Pyridoxine, Beta Carotene, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Stabilized Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mono-Nitrate, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Folic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Inositol, Niacin.
David commented:
I feel that a very integral part of seahorses diets should be brine shrimp.
Seahorses in aquaria eat too much fat, dead simple, far too much fat, and as they are a slow non active creature this is not good.
Brine shrimp, like the ones spoken about are good for two reasons,
1) they contain vitamins that are not in high proportions, tho I would like to see figures not just names.
2)the use of these zooplankton as a regular part of the diet lessens the overall fat uptake, so its a bit like a health pill, loaded with vitamins, no weight gain.
Later, in the thread his remark was
Mysids are too fat, as far as I know, PE is around 10-12%, hykari a little lower.
That means 10-12% of total foods eaten, is pure fat.
We must not venture too far from mamalian nutrition with teliosts, vitamins work the same, protien and fats work the same, carotenoids work the same etc.
Protien is the building block of life, is responsible for mucular development, and energy, fat, well we need it, but for a healthy life, only in small quantities. 10-12%, huge, very huge.
In another thread on enriching mysis David commented:
Get ahold of some ongrown brine shrimp and gut load these with spiralina, chlorella and some nature rose and feed it 3 or 4 times a week, 4 or 5 each is fine.
I guess you could say that David is a "commercial seahorse" person that does recommend and use them.
However, in a couple of threads I just reread from Sept,
In a thread on frozen brine gut loaded with spirulina,
Hikari Frozen Spirulina Brine Shrimp
Ingredients:
Brine Shrimp, Spirulina, Water, Pyridoxine, Beta Carotene, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Stabilized Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mono-Nitrate, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Folic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Inositol, Niacin.
David commented:
I feel that a very integral part of seahorses diets should be brine shrimp.
Seahorses in aquaria eat too much fat, dead simple, far too much fat, and as they are a slow non active creature this is not good.
Brine shrimp, like the ones spoken about are good for two reasons,
1) they contain vitamins that are not in high proportions, tho I would like to see figures not just names.
2)the use of these zooplankton as a regular part of the diet lessens the overall fat uptake, so its a bit like a health pill, loaded with vitamins, no weight gain.
Later, in the thread his remark was
Mysids are too fat, as far as I know, PE is around 10-12%, hykari a little lower.
That means 10-12% of total foods eaten, is pure fat.
We must not venture too far from mamalian nutrition with teliosts, vitamins work the same, protien and fats work the same, carotenoids work the same etc.
Protien is the building block of life, is responsible for mucular development, and energy, fat, well we need it, but for a healthy life, only in small quantities. 10-12%, huge, very huge.
In another thread on enriching mysis David commented:
Get ahold of some ongrown brine shrimp and gut load these with spiralina, chlorella and some nature rose and feed it 3 or 4 times a week, 4 or 5 each is fine.
I guess you could say that David is a "commercial seahorse" person that does recommend and use them.
It has been brought to my attention that some people have construed my posts to say that David recommends feeding brine shrimp as a food. In fact, he does not recommend them as a food.
He does, as the quotes indicate, advocate feeding gut loaded brine shrimp as a vehicle to provide essential vitamins and nutrients like vit C and E, and spiralina, chlorella and nature rose.
He has stated many times that PE mysis have too much fat. Feeding gut loaded brine shrimp means that less fat is fed to the horses and, essentials as mentioned, are added to the horse diet.
He does, as the quotes indicate, advocate feeding gut loaded brine shrimp as a vehicle to provide essential vitamins and nutrients like vit C and E, and spiralina, chlorella and nature rose.
He has stated many times that PE mysis have too much fat. Feeding gut loaded brine shrimp means that less fat is fed to the horses and, essentials as mentioned, are added to the horse diet.
pledosophy
Active member
Rayjay I think your statements are misleading too. Can you find a post where David states he is still active with Seahorse Australia or has been in recent times. The guy breeds Tuna. I like David, he is a bugger but the seahorses are Tracy's business, or were Tracy's business last I heard. David only raises Tuna, in a mariculture atmosphere.
IMO brine is a good food for fry, story ends there. Examining the fecal matter of seahorses will show they cannot digest the brine shrimp. They often come out whole.
David and I differ o this, he feels brine should be offered frequently. IME seahorses do best without it. JME
IMO brine is a good food for fry, story ends there. Examining the fecal matter of seahorses will show they cannot digest the brine shrimp. They often come out whole.
David and I differ o this, he feels brine should be offered frequently. IME seahorses do best without it. JME
pledosophy
Active member
I do want to add a respect your experience and have followed your other thread, even if I did not post in them. I think what you are doing is great.
IME a seahorse can live a very long time not only without brine, but without any enrichments at all. I wonder how much we are overcomplicating things and buying into old methods, just because they are old. JMO
IME a seahorse can live a very long time not only without brine, but without any enrichments at all. I wonder how much we are overcomplicating things and buying into old methods, just because they are old. JMO
JennyL
New member
Kevin,
This is just too much!! I am going to follow this boards rules and not attack you but I do strongly disagree with so much of what you post and this is another one of those times.
I have known David for years and he has vast knowledge and experience with seahorses, observing them in the wild , collecting good brood stock as a commercial diver and also in the captive environment.
His research, experience and knowledge is well known among many many people.
He has a deep love and respect for these beautiful creatures.
He would never advise anyone to do something with their seahorses that he was not absolutely certain was good for them and would improve their health and longevity.
Just because someone doesn't boast of all their accomplishments to your satisfaction doesn't mean they don't know anything and should be dismissed.
You disagree with someone's opinion or recommendation, fine but please do not try to discredit a person that has been and still is a great asset to thousands of people in this hobby.
I and many others agree with David and have followed his feeding advice regarding gut loaded brine shrimp as a wonderful way of getting the vitamins to them.
And before you start questioning my experience or knowledge I will tell you.
I have been keeping syngnathids since 1999. I have experience with H erectus,H barbouri, H zosterae,H tuberculatus,H kuda,H reidi , just to name a few.
I have successfully bred and raised 5th generation H erectus, 4th generation H zosterae, 2nd generation H barbouri.
So you see, I also have a deep love and respect for these beautiful creatures and have worked very hard to provide the best possible captive environment for them. Much of my knowledge and success has come from David.
I have never had a problem with feeding adults gut loaded brine shrimp several times a week. You say in your opinion, don't do it. Fine, that's your opinion. Have you ever tried this feeding regime?
It works and as I posted earlier in this thread, the results are very healthy seahorses.
I hope my post has not offended anyone, that was not my intention but only to correct some misleading information that has been posted.
This is just too much!! I am going to follow this boards rules and not attack you but I do strongly disagree with so much of what you post and this is another one of those times.
I have known David for years and he has vast knowledge and experience with seahorses, observing them in the wild , collecting good brood stock as a commercial diver and also in the captive environment.
His research, experience and knowledge is well known among many many people.
He has a deep love and respect for these beautiful creatures.
He would never advise anyone to do something with their seahorses that he was not absolutely certain was good for them and would improve their health and longevity.
Just because someone doesn't boast of all their accomplishments to your satisfaction doesn't mean they don't know anything and should be dismissed.
You disagree with someone's opinion or recommendation, fine but please do not try to discredit a person that has been and still is a great asset to thousands of people in this hobby.
I and many others agree with David and have followed his feeding advice regarding gut loaded brine shrimp as a wonderful way of getting the vitamins to them.
And before you start questioning my experience or knowledge I will tell you.
I have been keeping syngnathids since 1999. I have experience with H erectus,H barbouri, H zosterae,H tuberculatus,H kuda,H reidi , just to name a few.
I have successfully bred and raised 5th generation H erectus, 4th generation H zosterae, 2nd generation H barbouri.
So you see, I also have a deep love and respect for these beautiful creatures and have worked very hard to provide the best possible captive environment for them. Much of my knowledge and success has come from David.
I have never had a problem with feeding adults gut loaded brine shrimp several times a week. You say in your opinion, don't do it. Fine, that's your opinion. Have you ever tried this feeding regime?
It works and as I posted earlier in this thread, the results are very healthy seahorses.
I hope my post has not offended anyone, that was not my intention but only to correct some misleading information that has been posted.
pledosophy
Active member
Wow. Backup.
I like David. Think he is a great guy. Have tremendous respect for him and his knowledge. Running a commericial breeding facilitiy not only takes tremdous knowldege and dedication, but talent. I did not mean any attempt to discredit him by saying he ran a commercial tuna breeding facility, did not think that was a slam. Sorry if it was taken as such. David does have extensive experiences with seahorses, both in collecting, breeding, and keeping. His view point IMHO comes more from a aquaculture facility and many of his practices don't translate well to hobbyists. To much work. We're too lazy. Most of his ideas are right on.
I think it is misleading to pin him to a business that to my knowledge he no loger works with. Let him be him.
David and I trade posts and PM's frequently. Joke with eachother quite a bit. Am glad to have had the oppritunity to discuss are different techniques with each other.
David has given a tremdous amount to this hobby, even running his own syngnathid forum. I give him credit for everything he has done.
While I do have a tremendous respect for him, I do not agree with all of his husbandry practices(i.e. he loves protein skimmer, I do not. David does not use refugiums, I would not run a tank without one. David likes to see equipment in the tank, I like to hide it. etc, etc, etc). The two of us have no qualms about discussing our differences in a polite and respectful mannor.
Just want to be clear, I like him. If you ask him, I'm sure he knows this. The only reason I even responded to this post was I wanted it to be clear to other readers that there is no issue between David and myself. I know he lurks here, I'm sure he'll read this, and know they'll be no living with him, but I do think it is important to make the distinction.
If you disagree with something I post, cool. Why not post your disagreement and discuss the differences? There are many ways to be succsessful in this hobby, many different techniques that work. There is no reason why we have to agree on everything, nor is there any reason why we can not agree to disagree on different issues.
This site is about learning, part of that is discussing different ideas. If we all always repeated the same thing, it would be easier for RC just to write an artcile and delete the forum.
I'm sorry if you have felt that I in some way discourage different ideas contrary to my own. I do ask questions, I do explore and examine ideas. When I'm doing this I don't mean it to be personal, and don't think less of others if they have different ideas. I do relate my own experiences in relation both to succsess and failures.
This thread is a example of that.
To anwser the question, no I have not fed brine to adult seahorses for an extended period of time. I never saw the need for it. My horses were fat and happy with there feeding regiment. If it ain't broke? I have used brine shrimp to feed a sick barbouri (given to me by LFS because they were sure it would not make the night) beta glucan. Still fed mysis during this period though.
IME I have had very healthy old seahorses that were not fed brine. You fed brine, I did not, both had healthy horses.
You have used enrichments with great succsess, I have not used enrichments but still have had succsess. Both sides of the coin.
Why not let the other members read both sides of an issue?
I like David. Think he is a great guy. Have tremendous respect for him and his knowledge. Running a commericial breeding facilitiy not only takes tremdous knowldege and dedication, but talent. I did not mean any attempt to discredit him by saying he ran a commercial tuna breeding facility, did not think that was a slam. Sorry if it was taken as such. David does have extensive experiences with seahorses, both in collecting, breeding, and keeping. His view point IMHO comes more from a aquaculture facility and many of his practices don't translate well to hobbyists. To much work. We're too lazy. Most of his ideas are right on.
I think it is misleading to pin him to a business that to my knowledge he no loger works with. Let him be him.
David and I trade posts and PM's frequently. Joke with eachother quite a bit. Am glad to have had the oppritunity to discuss are different techniques with each other.
David has given a tremdous amount to this hobby, even running his own syngnathid forum. I give him credit for everything he has done.
While I do have a tremendous respect for him, I do not agree with all of his husbandry practices(i.e. he loves protein skimmer, I do not. David does not use refugiums, I would not run a tank without one. David likes to see equipment in the tank, I like to hide it. etc, etc, etc). The two of us have no qualms about discussing our differences in a polite and respectful mannor.
Just want to be clear, I like him. If you ask him, I'm sure he knows this. The only reason I even responded to this post was I wanted it to be clear to other readers that there is no issue between David and myself. I know he lurks here, I'm sure he'll read this, and know they'll be no living with him, but I do think it is important to make the distinction.
If you disagree with something I post, cool. Why not post your disagreement and discuss the differences? There are many ways to be succsessful in this hobby, many different techniques that work. There is no reason why we have to agree on everything, nor is there any reason why we can not agree to disagree on different issues.
This site is about learning, part of that is discussing different ideas. If we all always repeated the same thing, it would be easier for RC just to write an artcile and delete the forum.
I'm sorry if you have felt that I in some way discourage different ideas contrary to my own. I do ask questions, I do explore and examine ideas. When I'm doing this I don't mean it to be personal, and don't think less of others if they have different ideas. I do relate my own experiences in relation both to succsess and failures.
This thread is a example of that.
To anwser the question, no I have not fed brine to adult seahorses for an extended period of time. I never saw the need for it. My horses were fat and happy with there feeding regiment. If it ain't broke? I have used brine shrimp to feed a sick barbouri (given to me by LFS because they were sure it would not make the night) beta glucan. Still fed mysis during this period though.
IME I have had very healthy old seahorses that were not fed brine. You fed brine, I did not, both had healthy horses.
You have used enrichments with great succsess, I have not used enrichments but still have had succsess. Both sides of the coin.
Why not let the other members read both sides of an issue?
acroboy
New member
I'am not a big fan of brineshrimp. The reason they come out whole is because there is not much to digest there in the first place.Almost all shell. I guess it will always be a matter of ones own experience.
I mean you can eat one chicken breast or you can eat 15 winglets to get the same protein one is mostly meat the other is mostly bone. As long as the horses are truly healthy then its personal preference.
I mean you can eat one chicken breast or you can eat 15 winglets to get the same protein one is mostly meat the other is mostly bone. As long as the horses are truly healthy then its personal preference.
Similar threads
