? re Combining Oceanrider SH with other types
- Thread starter MSAreef
- Start date
There is some risk combining the same species from different breeders. Also a greater risk combining different species.
Tank raised is a useless term these days because it could mean anything. If you decide to go with more horses you need to get them from a reliable breeder and they should be captive bred. Very rarely are true captive bred found in LFS and if they tell you they are CB ask who the breeder is. If they come from outside the US I wouldn't go for them.
How many seahorses and what species do you currently have in your 42 gallon tank? I wouldn't put more then a couple of pairs of large horses in a 42 gallon.
Bruce
Tank raised is a useless term these days because it could mean anything. If you decide to go with more horses you need to get them from a reliable breeder and they should be captive bred. Very rarely are true captive bred found in LFS and if they tell you they are CB ask who the breeder is. If they come from outside the US I wouldn't go for them.
How many seahorses and what species do you currently have in your 42 gallon tank? I wouldn't put more then a couple of pairs of large horses in a 42 gallon.
Bruce
Bruce is right. Most 'Captive Bred' seahorses being offered are pen raised. This means they are in the ocean and might as well be wild caught for any benefit you would hope to get.
Different seahorses react differently to environmental pathogens. Whilst the OR stock may be disease free, they could also not be disease resistant. So adding from a new source could result in their deaths.
Think Europeans arriving in America, with diseases they were immune to, and killing chunks of the native population who were not previously exposed to the disease. Same applies to seahorses from different sources. Thay may be fine, but they may kill off the other seahorses.
Different seahorses react differently to environmental pathogens. Whilst the OR stock may be disease free, they could also not be disease resistant. So adding from a new source could result in their deaths.
Think Europeans arriving in America, with diseases they were immune to, and killing chunks of the native population who were not previously exposed to the disease. Same applies to seahorses from different sources. Thay may be fine, but they may kill off the other seahorses.
I currently have 4 erectus (Sunbursts) in a 42 tall. I've had them for over 2 years. I definitely don't want to risk their health. I wanted to add 1 more to the tank and I didn't want it to come from Oceanrider this time. Their prices are really high. I noticed a Redi on seahorsesource and that is what I had in mind. I know he is a reputable breeder who frequents this forum so I knew I would get a healthy fish from him. I just was worried about mixing.
Here is my story.
I have kept seahorses for over 5 years. I had a tank of reidi that I had gotten from the start. I had a tank of CB erectus that I had for over 2 years. I decided to mix them in January. Today I have 2 seahorses. One of them is a baby erectus born to those who died. The other is a TR "Kelloggi" added in June to teach the baby to eat frozen.
To do it over again, I wouldn't take the risk.
If your horses are doing well in your tank, don't mess with success. That is going to be my motto from now on. Since Jan, I have lost over 15 horses. I am so discouraged now, I am about ready to hang up the whole works. If the baby wasn't the only horse I had ever been able to raise and was special to me, I probably would.
I have kept seahorses for over 5 years. I had a tank of reidi that I had gotten from the start. I had a tank of CB erectus that I had for over 2 years. I decided to mix them in January. Today I have 2 seahorses. One of them is a baby erectus born to those who died. The other is a TR "Kelloggi" added in June to teach the baby to eat frozen.
To do it over again, I wouldn't take the risk.
If your horses are doing well in your tank, don't mess with success. That is going to be my motto from now on. Since Jan, I have lost over 15 horses. I am so discouraged now, I am about ready to hang up the whole works. If the baby wasn't the only horse I had ever been able to raise and was special to me, I probably would.
April
I am sorry to hear about your horses. It does illustrate the point though that mixing can be dangerous. Both erectus and reidi probably carry diseases that they are immune to, but the same disease might be deadly to the other species.
I would just add another tank if you want more horses. That and raising fry is how I got up to 16 marine tanks
.
Bruce
I am sorry to hear about your horses. It does illustrate the point though that mixing can be dangerous. Both erectus and reidi probably carry diseases that they are immune to, but the same disease might be deadly to the other species.
I would just add another tank if you want more horses. That and raising fry is how I got up to 16 marine tanks
.Bruce
Thanks for the great replies. April, I'm sorry about your loss. This hobby can be hearbreaking at times. I hope you stick with it.
One of my males is now pregant again after quite a while with no babies so I guess I better stick with the herd I already have. I just wish Oceanrider wasn't so expensive! I have a 10 gallon breeder tank with 3 kreisel bowls inside ready to go. So wish me luck.
One of my males is now pregant again after quite a while with no babies so I guess I better stick with the herd I already have. I just wish Oceanrider wasn't so expensive! I have a 10 gallon breeder tank with 3 kreisel bowls inside ready to go. So wish me luck.
