Mixing Breeds

[scapes]

I have 2, 3" reidi's in a 35g hex that I've had since around april of this year. They are a mated pair. I just bought 4, 1" erectus's from Draco Marine. Sex unknown. I requested females, not too sure yet. They were placed in an established 55g two days ago w/ no other fish.

I would like to combine all 6 in the 55g. I will wait a few weeks first to make sure the erectus's are fine. After that, what are any suggestions as to placing my 2 reidi's w/ my erectus's?

thanks

 

[ReefNutPA]

Personally, I would not mix Erectus with other species. I'm sure you've done some searches and found numerous threads where people have mixed different species from different suppliers with not-so-pleasant results. Some hobbyists mix without a problem. Others, have not been so lucky. In many of those cases, problems developed with the addition of Erectus into the tank.

Tom

 

[pledosophy]

I would read through these threads just for fun if I were you

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=7262798


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=729885&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

Good Luck.

 

[edshern]

My experience.
I recently tried mixing species in a 90g. (erectus, reidi, & kudas)
I read everything first, learned the risks, and thought I did everything right.
They died.

 

[luvabunny]

To back up edshern -

My experience.
I tried mixing all of mine in a 75g (reidi, erectus, and kuda)
I have been in the hobby for over 5 years - read everything first, knew the risks, tried to do it all right. Mixed them in Jan.

I am the original poster of one of the threads listed above.

By Oct, I have 1 horse left, and it is not from the original mixture. Horses I have tried to add to the tank since mixing them have died, even tho I left the tank fallow for 3 months in July, Aug, and Sept.

I wouldn't do it, if I were you.

 

[Whylde]

Mixing seahorses

Mixing seahorses

Hi all, first post.
I'm fairly new to the hobby and have Dwarfs, Reidi, and Erectus together. Oceanrider suggests mixing them on their site. I've had losses, but I think more to do with initially my own learning curve.
I also have gobies, starfish and three different kinds of pipefish.
I think hatching the brine helps with the feeding of the mandarin and target as well as the pipes and dwarves. I've got it down to a science so it's not that much of a pain.

 

[Angeline]

I wouldn't risk it. I think that the people who have lost all their stock outweigh those who haven't ... yet.

 

[scapes]

thanks!!!!

 

[pledosophy]

Keeping dwarfs and larger seahorses in the same setup is just irresponsible. Hard to believe OR is recommending such.

 

[ReefNutPA]

OR does not recommend mixing dwarf seahorses with the larger seahorses. They specifically state a 2 to 5 gal tank with live feeds.

They do state their other tropical species (Reidi, Barb, Kuda, Erectus) can be housed together.

Tom

 

[pledosophy]

OR has stated that they mix there breeds from fry age at there facility so there should be no risk of mixing different species from OR. However mixing OR horses with other seahorses of the same species still holds some risk.

I'm not saying it shouldn't be done, just to know what your getting into.

 

[Whylde]

mixing dwarfs

mixing dwarfs

I have found so much contradictory information all over the net. I am telling you from my own experience, the Dwarfs and the bigger guys get along great! They ride the backs of the Reidi and Erectus, I have a great picture of one resting on the chest of an Erectus. I also have found that having them around inspires courting behavior in the larger species. Perhaps because they are about the size of their fry. I have seen an Erectus approach a Dwarf thinking it was a shrimp, the Dwarf rocked back and forth like a pendulum, which appeared to make the Reidi recognize it as a seahorse. Amazing creatures.