proper horse care
- Thread starter july865
- Start date
http://www.seahorse.org/ is the best site for seahorses
NanoLurker
Member
definately seahorse.org 
there are a number of articles in the library that will help you get a better understanding of their care.
things to consider: will your tank have a chiller? temperature is very important so make sure the species you ultimately choose is correct for your intended tank (seahorses are grouped as temperate, tropical, and subtropical). i currently have two h. comes and they're kept at 73, i try to keep my erectus below 77.
know what size you'd like as well, some like h. ingens can reach 12". erectus are generally considered a good beginner horse, as are kuda. my number one piece of advice is to only purchase CB from a reputable breeder. i have not purchased horses from dan, but i've purchased a number of meds and other supplies from him and would recommend him in a heartbeat. you're going to pay a little more for his horses but it's worth it, he's always available to answer any and all questions regarding care and treatment. his site is seahorsesource.com. steer clear of ANY horse at the LFS until you have a little experience with them, you'll probably see some labelled "tank raised" - i call them WC and while it is possible to keep them successfully they generally require quite a bit of work to get healthy.
have some recommended meds on hand first, if you currently have a tank you may already have some of them - at a minimum i would have formalin, a topical (i.e. hikari's biobandage or neosporin), an all around antibiotic (neomycin/triple sulfa, gentamicin, etc.), diamox would be nice but if you ever need that, i've got plenty. if you do decide to purchase from a LFS i would also round up some praziquantel or prazipro and fenbendazole, depending on where the horse was purchased and how they were raised (net penned in sri lanka, vietnam, etc.) they can come in rather wormy and with a high parasite load. i generally perform a freshwater dip or formalin bath prior to placing in QT.
while there is still a lot to learn about their care, there is a good deal of information available to us hobbyists. necroscopies are routinely performed on member horses by labdoc over at seahorse.org (he performed one for me) so the knowledge base is ever expanding.
i don't want to scare you off but i commend you for doing your research prior to purchase.
QT ! even if you purchase from a reputable breeder.
there are a number of articles in the library that will help you get a better understanding of their care. things to consider: will your tank have a chiller? temperature is very important so make sure the species you ultimately choose is correct for your intended tank (seahorses are grouped as temperate, tropical, and subtropical). i currently have two h. comes and they're kept at 73, i try to keep my erectus below 77.
know what size you'd like as well, some like h. ingens can reach 12". erectus are generally considered a good beginner horse, as are kuda. my number one piece of advice is to only purchase CB from a reputable breeder. i have not purchased horses from dan, but i've purchased a number of meds and other supplies from him and would recommend him in a heartbeat. you're going to pay a little more for his horses but it's worth it, he's always available to answer any and all questions regarding care and treatment. his site is seahorsesource.com. steer clear of ANY horse at the LFS until you have a little experience with them, you'll probably see some labelled "tank raised" - i call them WC and while it is possible to keep them successfully they generally require quite a bit of work to get healthy.
have some recommended meds on hand first, if you currently have a tank you may already have some of them - at a minimum i would have formalin, a topical (i.e. hikari's biobandage or neosporin), an all around antibiotic (neomycin/triple sulfa, gentamicin, etc.), diamox would be nice but if you ever need that, i've got plenty. if you do decide to purchase from a LFS i would also round up some praziquantel or prazipro and fenbendazole, depending on where the horse was purchased and how they were raised (net penned in sri lanka, vietnam, etc.) they can come in rather wormy and with a high parasite load. i generally perform a freshwater dip or formalin bath prior to placing in QT.
while there is still a lot to learn about their care, there is a good deal of information available to us hobbyists. necroscopies are routinely performed on member horses by labdoc over at seahorse.org (he performed one for me) so the knowledge base is ever expanding.
i don't want to scare you off
but i commend you for doing your research prior to purchase. QT ! even if you purchase from a reputable breeder.
NanoLurker;
all i can say is.... wow.. and thank you. this is such a great community that actualy cares for their members. i will definately read and research before i buy. as for getting them tank raised, was going to spend a bit more and buy tank bred. i kinda feel uncomfortable buying kidnapped fish, and stolen reef rock.
this horse will be the main show piece and will build my enviroment around his natual habitat.
i guess i have a ton of reading to do.
all i can say is.... wow.. and thank you. this is such a great community that actualy cares for their members. i will definately read and research before i buy. as for getting them tank raised, was going to spend a bit more and buy tank bred. i kinda feel uncomfortable buying kidnapped fish, and stolen reef rock.
this horse will be the main show piece and will build my enviroment around his natual habitat.
i guess i have a ton of reading to do.
The sea horse site should be read carefully for its great info on these wonderful but difficult animals. Be forewarned: I have had a number of LFS people claim that their horses are captive bred when I know otherwise. Buy from a captive breeder who has taught their horses to eat frozen mysis. Food is a big problem here. If they aren't acclimated to mysis, it will be difficult to culture live food and even adult brine does not have adequate nutrional value.
dodgerblew
Team RC
a good source for purchasing is:
www.oceanrider.com
I have also learned a great deal from the seahorse/pipefish forum here on RC.
HTH
www.oceanrider.com
I have also learned a great deal from the seahorse/pipefish forum here on RC.
HTH
i am a bit confused on the type of current they suggest. they state moderate, but that has several meanings. i am going to place these fine animals in an aquapod 24g that i recently purchased. they will be the main attraction sorta-speak. i have also purchased a CurrentUSA sunpod 150w 20". i am also waiting for the new Tunze nano Turbelles to come out to use as a water movement device, and connect them to a single controller.
.
any suggestions? comments to this future setup?
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any suggestions? comments to this future setup?
dodgerblew
Team RC
they naturally come from lagoon type environments, I think, so I was taught not a lot of current
Again,Read the forums. THey do not need much, if any, current nor should you be useing MH lighting. Use the stock lighting and consider maybe no more than four with no fish, coral etc. Buy from the captive breeders listed on the seahorse forum. They had better be the "only attraction,sorta speak" or don't go the sea horse route. These animals are demanding but fascinating.
dodgerblew
Team RC
well...
I have a 29T that was my seahorse tank with stand and semi-lighting and skimmer that I will sell at quite the fair price if you want another tank for SH's
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