New With This

[PhxRob]

Ive always have had a thing for sea horse they are an amazing animal, recently i was at my lfs and after picking up a few thing i notice a tank that had some in it. Knowing that they finally had some in i knew i had to setup a species only tank for them. So without really learning to much info except for what i was told about them at the lfs i decided when it was time to purchase one. Not knowing on how to tell if its a WC or CB. If it was healthy or not, male or female, what species it actually was. Labled as a black stripped seahorse. Its been three days now and all signs are good. I'm guessing its a WC due to the fact that it wont touch frozen food only live brine shrimp. I've looked at pictues on how to tell male or female and still am not sure. It looks like a male but i could be wrong. Also would like to know the actual species name and any info anyone could give.




Its in a 15g tall tank
temp is at 72 degrees, ph 8 and 0s across the board. I know its extremely easy for them to catch diseases and finding out slowly more so with WC. All signs are good so far and its eating like crazy. Not sure if theres other threads about this or no but any information is greatly appreciated.


edit: just looking at the picture it is kinda hard to tell

 

[shrimpgal]

To me it looks like a male.
If you are feeding live brine you should get some of dans feed at seahorsesource.
Gut load the shrimp so your seahorse gets all his vit and min that he needs.
This will keep him healthy, watch for stringy poop that is a sign of parasites.
Keep his water very clean and do regular water changes and you will have a happy and healthy seahorse.Congrats on being a new seahorse owner.
Chris

 

[rayjay]

The picture is not ideal for proper species ID but best odds would be erectus.
It does look like an emerging male.
It may also be a tank raised seahorse that hadn't yet got past the stress of the move so the frozen food wasn't enough for enticement at that time.
I'd suggest mixing frozen brine in with the live brine, gradually reducing the amount of live and increasing the amount of frozen until it is fully on the frozen.
Then you can mix in frozen mysis to complete the switch to the better food.
Seahorses do best in communities but your tank is not large enough for two as the recommendations are 29g for one pair, and an additional 15g for each additional pair.
You could try sticking mirrors on the glass sides of the aquarium to give it the sense of others around.
You can learn more of the basics by clicking the LINKS at the BOTTOM of "My Thoughts on Seahorse Keeping"