sea dragon ???'s

[LFS_worker]

Do you think that sea dragons will ever be tank raised and/or is there anyway to access one or a pair for breading?

FOR THE RECORD IM NOT TRYING TO LIGHT A FIRE

Brian

 

[WaterKeeper]

They are currently being tank raised in various public aquariums. Since they are protected by the Australian government their export is limited and illegal specimens are about the only ones entering the commercial market. There have been some claims of captive bred dragons being available but I have yet to see any for sale. As the public aquariums raise them they may be available to commercial breeders in the future and then there should be a better supply.

 

[TamiW]

There was just a thread on this very subject not long ago. Towards the end of the thread there was information about how individuals can obtain them and what tank size requirements they have.

I would still guess that no matter what kind of advancements we make in caring for them, they're still going to need an expensive set up with a lot of time and energy into their care. But I wouldn't doubt they become more readily available as time goes on. However I don't really think you'll ever be able to just walk into a pet store and get one.

 

[LFS_worker]

thanks great info ... I know alot of people get heated about the topic. That wasnt my intention but I have noticed alot of interest in them recently (customer base) and was wondering if anyone had new info on them.

If the aquariums are breeding them do they sell babies ?? is that legal?

THX guys and gals
Brian

 

[TamiW]

This is the thread I was referring to: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=729754

The last page seems to have actual useful information. I'm not exactly sure, but it sounds like some of the people selling captive bred ones are not aquariums, they just sell to aquariums.

I don't see keeping sea dragons that are legally purchased as any different than any difficult fish. As long as the aquarist has the time, money, and knowledge then why not? If its a touchy subject, well so was keeping seahorses not that long ago. Not that I'm advocating everyone go out and get one; but if you can afford the setup and fish, and have the extensive syngnathid experience, why not?

 

[WaterKeeper]

Thanks for that link Tami. It is my understanding that the Australian government release some to selected public aquariums once each year. That is why there is no single aquarium that has exclusive rights to them but can breed as many as they can.

As to the breeders for commercial distribution the question is where did they obtain the original breeding stock? If that pair was taken illegally then I would guess their spawn would be also illegal. On the other hand, if a public aquarium were to sell some to a legitimate commercial breeder I would think that would be fine. I'm pretty sure the Aussies are only trying to protect the existing resources not to boost the market value by limiting breeding.

Brian, don't give up on finding legitimate tank bred. When there is a demand there usually are those that will attempt to supply that demand. I'm sure these will be costly and, since they are a cool water species, the need for a species specific tank will be needed. Hope you have luck in your search.

 

[TamiW]

I believe the ones from Japan are legally caught, raised and sold; I had a friend looking to obtain them once (before I explained in detail just how much work they would be) and I'm sure he was going to go through one of those dealers. The person he corrisponded with said they normally sold to aquariums, but that wasn't a policy, just who was looking to buy them and that they did occassionally sell to private aquarists and aquarium maintenance businesses.

 

[TamiW]

Since we're talking about it, I wonder how much a tank to support a sea dragon would cost? Surely not more than some of the really big reef tanks. . . .

 

[WaterKeeper]

:lol:

You want to ask about tank costs when you are buying fish that may cost over 2.5 grand each?

I'm not sure Tami as I have no real idea of the tank size needed. True the dragons are about half again as big as the largest seahorse but even those can be kept in a tank of under a 100 gallons. They are not active swimmers so overall tank length shouldn't be a concern. I would think the task would be selecting a proper tank depth, especially if you plan to breed them. At a foot and a half they may need more headroom than supplied my most common tanks. Also, the male doesn't have a brood pouch but keeps the eggs on a special patch on the tail. I would guess one might need to look at a tank in the 30-36" height range to accommodate them. Fortunately, at least I hope, it would be species limited and not need extraordinary lighting. I would think something in the 150 gallon range tall would be fine. A 48"w x 24" d x 31" h, 150 gallon costs about $650. After that it should cost not more than any 150 and maybe a bit less as the lighting doesn't need to be anything special.

 

[DanU]

I do know someone who has them. The current tank is a about 6 feet or so high. They want a taller tank, saying this one is not big enough. Don't forget you still need a chiller. Takes a fairly good sized one. I would love to see a survey of what the average budget is for public aquariums to maintain their dragons! That would probably kill most of the discussions of wanna be keepers!

Dan

 

[LFS_worker]

Thanks for the info guys and gals!! you are awesome and very insitefull

Brian

 

[WaterKeeper]

Glad it helped Brian.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7709213#post7709213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DanU
I do know someone who has them. The current tank is a about 6 feet or so high. They want a taller tank, saying this one is not big enough.

:lol: Dan,

That six foot tall tank probably is not in stock for most 150 gallon tanks from the LFS.

I agree, dragons are probably not in the reach of most reefers.

 

[LFS_worker]

what sources are you huys reading from that states a chiller and XL tanks ?? I cant find any care info on dragons ... anywhere..

Thanks
Brian

 

[TamiW]

Sea dragons are temperate, thus the need for a chiller. The linked thread discusses deep tanks, as does most other literature regarding their care.

 

[WaterKeeper]

Right on. Season water temps in southern Australia run between 55°-67°F. Maybe if you have a room with AC that you keep at 66-68° F you might be able to keep them without a chiller but about the only place I ever knew that to happen was in some of our old climate controlled labs.

 

[TamiW]

And I personally wouldn't risk it with that expensive of a fish. The chiller would be your insurance. I'd probably only consider it if I had alarms and stuff to notify me if the temp went to high, if the power went out in my house, etc . . .

 

[LFS_worker]

very cool will keep that in mind.

Brian

 

[ClamIAm]

I'm certainly hoping they do become available legally somewhere down the line. I'd have to say the leafy sea dragon is probably my favorite fish out there. My guess is that there will be a few people like us that have the experience and dedication to keep them successfully. I definitely don't expect them to be readily available through local pet stores, probably something you'll need to special order from a breeder or something. Most likely the price involved will drive away most of the people who aren't willing to provide suitable care.

 

[LFS_worker]

Id have to agree with yoy there I saw about 4 of them in the aquarium in new jersey and was left agape. from there my quest for information on them begun... so here I am

I was thinking of contacing a aquarium to see what their feeding schedule is and water peramaters. they seem to have no problems with them..

Brian

 

[ClamIAm]

I know when I visited the Georgia aquarium they told me that they feed them live mysis, which they said was quite expensive to get. I didn't ask how many times a day they fed though