Newby Questions

[joes_bunnee]

We just got a 29g live rock seahorse tank set up and there are 4 seahorses in it. I have read a lot of info here and on seahorse.org and oceanrider.com, but there are a couple of things I didn't come across.

The owner of the LFS said the seahorses are yellow CB's but didn't know the exact type. From looking at the sites, it seems like erectus to me. She also didn't know their age but only that they were babies -- at least young. My questions (a little late to be asking, but ...) are how do you tell how old they are and how do you tell what sex they are? Also, she said they can turn from yellow to black and back depending on I don't know what -- mood, environment? Any info would be appreciated.

I have a strong feeling that we will be outgrowing this tank fairly quickly since my mom, who lives with us, is talking about purchasing a couple of mated reds, but we're not there yet.

Nice to be here and I can't wait to post pictures of my little guys!

Martha

 

[reefD]

ok first pictures will get you much more info on the species as describing words dont fare well .
2- you can tell the difference between a male and femal by an extended pouch. in other words a males stomack will look longer and ever more noticably differnt texture of skin on this extended bulge.
3- very difficult to get age. do a search on average lifespan and if yours were given to you at adult size then expect them to be middle aged at least.
4- when behaving normal and eating well they only turn color when evirnment changes drasticlly so if you add a new decor it may make them change color.
hope to see your pony's soon!

 

[luvabunny]

First of all Martha, welcome to the forum.

I would be somewhat suspicious of the LFS owner who doesn't know what species her CB horses are. People don't just raise CB horses without knowing this information. I bet if she looks hard enough, she can find out. Also, knowing the supplier, and what part of the country they came from can help immensely. There aren't so many large breeders that people here and on the org won't be able to identify them. Also, pics will help alot.

Size will probably be your best way to identify age, unless they are full grown adults. IF they are erectus, and IF they are smaller than 6", you can be relatively comfortable that they are juvies. If they are very young juvies, you will probably have to wait until they grow up some to sex them, as the males pouch don't usually begin to develop until they are almost breeding size. Again, pics would help for a more definite verification.

Horses can and will change color to suit their moods, so buying a horse based on color is almost always a disaster. Courting males almost always "flash" lighter, sometimes even white coloring, while unhappy, stressed, or sick horses almost always go dark to black. Of course, all species have a usual "base" color. Dwarfs are almost always beige, erectus are almost always either black or yellow, barbs are almost always yellow, but the one variable here is "almost always." There are exceptions to every rule, and just because you buy a yellow or red horse, doesn't mean that's what you'll have when you get home.

Now for the harder part. A 29 gallon tank, with just the minimal amount of rock, is about the minimum requirement for 1 pair of erectus. Since you already have 2 pair, adding another pair will surely have it overloaded when they reach adulthood. Also, mixing horses from different suppliers, of possible different species can wipe out all of your horses, as can adding WC fish to your CB horse herd. I would give very serious consideration, and do lots more research before I took that next leap, especially since you don't know yet what species you have. Erectus are well known to not mix well with other horses.

Good luck to you and your horses.

 

[joes_bunnee]

Pics

Pics

I haven't had time to manipulate my pics yet to the 50k size limit of the photo gallery, so I set up a temporary tripod.com photo album. Please check out http://joesseahorses.tripod.com/Seahorses/ to see pics of the guys.

Thanks for your comments so far. I told my hubby last night I think we already need to be looking for a bigger (taller, actually) tank. These horses are about 2 inches tall if that helps to identify them.

 

[joes_bunnee]

All 4 are girls!

All 4 are girls!

No babies for us ... I found a sexing how-to on seahorses.org (don't know how I missed it before) and figured it out! I'm definitely not disappointed in having no pairs.

Last night, we picked up a little concave flowerpot coral to use temporarily to feed them. So far only one horse found it. I left a bunch of mysis floating for the others. I figure the others will find it and then I'll put all food in the same spot.

We are also planning on ordering some turtle grass and graciliaria for live greens. Over the weekend, hopefully we will be able to add a tiny cleaning crew -- maybe a turbo snail? How can I tell if we're messy enough?

 

[joes_bunnee]

One more question

One more question

Since all 4 horses came from the same store, if one of them gets sick, does it still get quarantined or do they all get treated? I've been reading all about Casper and it's scary.

 

[js_abattoir]

I love it when a wife talks about bigger tanks

 

[joes_bunnee]

Hmmm

Hmmm

Especially your own wife, huh? Seems to me you like it any time I talk about bigger ...

 

[luvabunny]

It does look like all of the pics you posted are female, but at their size, it would be very hard to see a juvenile male. My guess would be erectus, again, the pics are small and far away.

If they are, luckily for you, they are one of the hardiest seahorses available, and they are definitely juvies, so you should have lots of happy years ahead. Worry about them getting sick if one actually does.
Good luck with them, they are beauties.

 

[DanU]

I can tell which species exactly, but definately not erectus.

Dan

 

[joes_bunnee]

We were at a LFS yesterday and saw ones that looked like them that they said were shipped to them labeled dwarfs but that they thought actually seemed more like reidi. Now I'm even more confused, but I agree, Dan, that the more pictures of erectus I see, the less I think these look like that. They are much more smooth looking.