New Ponies

[laga77]

Finally got a pair of Seahorses from the LFS last night. I believe they are Hippocampus erectus. A male and a female cream colored. The male is about 50% larger than the female. They are tank bred from someone in the area. Both are eating PE mysis, ocean plankton, and live BS which I have been growing out for the last month. One question. Why is it suggested they be kept a slightly lower SG? I often see no higher than 1.02.

 

[touchingstoves]

I keep mine at 1.023, they breathe easier. Higher salinity causes stress.

 

[rayjay]

There is NO need to have to keep them at an artificial low s.g..
They do fine at 1.026 if you meet all their needs.
The more important thing is to keep them at lower temperatures in the range of 68°a to 74° F because in addition to extreme husbandry, the lower temperatures help to limit the growth of nasty bacteria like the vibrio species which multiply exponentially with each rising degree above that range and especially if there are deposits of detritus and uneaten food trapped out of sight around rocks and decor.
Some do it just because someone else told them lower was better.
A long time ago it used to be mentioned that parasitic control was better at lower s.g., but IMO, anything in the 1.020 +- a few points is not going to help much as it takes much lower s.g. to really have an affect on parasites.
Others do it because the seahorses do just fine in lower ranges than normal ocean s.g. and it makes the salt go further for lower cost.
My Thoughts on Seahorse Keeping

 

[laga77]

There is NO need to have to keep them at an artificial low s.g..

Thanks, That`s what I thought. Never been a fan of lower SG. The water stays at 71-72F. Read every word of your article.

 

[rayjay]

Forgot to mention also that it's MUCH better to enrich the live brine shrimp before feeding them to the seahorses.
Contrary to what many believe, brine shrimp are high in protein but they do lack the fatty acids, especially the DHA that is much better for seahorses and other marine fish.
The best you can get for enrichment is Dan's Feed from seahorsesource.com.

 

[laga77]

I have some of Dan`s feed. I also raise them on live photo which I culture along with some Isochrysis from Brine Shrimp Direct. This past weekend, I was at a Aquarium show where I talked to a rep from Reef Nutrition. He gave me a bottle of SDaquarist. It is similar to Photo Feast and he said it is for feeding filter feedings and will enrich brine just like Dan`s

 

[rayjay]

Use of that product means a bit less cleaning of the rearing containers because it stays in suspension longer, but it's at a cost.
I prefer to grow nanno and use that for the growout of the nauplii for 7 to 10 days, but then I switch to greenwater made by blending spirulina powder in water in a blender for at least two minutes, storing it in a pop bottle in the fridge and using as needed for growout feeding. The spirulina is about $10 a pound from Brine Shrimp Direct.
Then just use the enrichment for a final day or so before using as food. (personally I would still take Dan's Food over that SD)
I've been raising artemia to adult on a large scale for over 20 years.
You may get some ideas to help your task somewhat by scaling down the process I use. Raising Brine Shrimp to Adult
I haven't updated it in some time now but the basics are there.

 

[laga77]

Thanks. I will give it a shot.

 

[redhorse]

Any pictures? Plus, was the pipefish in this tank?

 

[laga77]

Any pictures? Plus, was the pipefish in this tank?

Here they are, the male is in front and the female is behind him. They are eating PE mysis, Hikari ocean plankton, and live BS which has been gut loaded. I spot feed 2x daily with a long baster to minimize waste. No, the pipefish was not in with them. I am keeping the tank a seahorse tank only with a few small crabs.

 

[redhorse]

You have some really nice and healthy looking ponies.. Congrats!!!