sea horses
- Thread starter Serra
- Start date
I can't compare to SPS corals, because I've never kept them, but to compare with some things I have specifically kept, i.e. agressive fish (puffers, filefish, triggers and lions) and octopus, and regular reef tanks, they are much more difficult, require more constant observation, and have far different nutritional needs with their own specific problems.
The biggest problem is getting pipefish and seahorses to eat. Just because you offer it, no matter what it is, doesn't mean they are going to eat it. If they don't eat within 3 days, there is a very good liklihood that their digestive system will shut down, and they couldn't process food even if they did eat it.
Setting up their tank is usually in the normal params for most SW keepers, but so many things can make them stop eating, and nearly all are stress related. You, as a seahorse keeper, have approx 2 days to recognize this and correct the problem before it leads to your fishes death.
The biggest problem is getting pipefish and seahorses to eat. Just because you offer it, no matter what it is, doesn't mean they are going to eat it. If they don't eat within 3 days, there is a very good liklihood that their digestive system will shut down, and they couldn't process food even if they did eat it.
Setting up their tank is usually in the normal params for most SW keepers, but so many things can make them stop eating, and nearly all are stress related. You, as a seahorse keeper, have approx 2 days to recognize this and correct the problem before it leads to your fishes death.
Blue stripes are soo pretty. My alligators are the most gorgeous green. One of them is even daintily eating frozen mysis now. Both of them are pretty good with the frozen brine shrimp tho. Of course, there's no feeding frenzy like the one created when you add live brine.....Food for pipes, popcorn for seahorses. Sigh...
captbunzo
Premium Member
Fishbase has some great pics of pipefish...
Bluestripe Pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus)
Banded or Ringed Pipefish (Doryrhamphus dactyliophorus)
And then LiveAquaria.com has something known as a Dragonface Pipefish. These are beautiful.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=282
Bluestripe Pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus)
Banded or Ringed Pipefish (Doryrhamphus dactyliophorus)
And then LiveAquaria.com has something known as a Dragonface Pipefish. These are beautiful.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=282
Serra
New member
After years of experience with all kinds of fish, I think stress is the biggest creator of problems in a tank. (Whether water quality or tankmate problems.) One of the reasons I quarantine fish is to get them used to being around me and recognize me as the food provider. In other words, desensitize them to humans and learn that my presence means food.
If any causes of stress in a tank go on for days, you can develop problems. This is why you have to observe your tanks for any sign of problems or potential problems. By the time you casually notice something is wrong it usually is a big problem.
Your fish's (or invert's) behavior will tell you if something is wrong. Really looking at your tank is the best thing you can do for your pets.
I will run my decision for species by you all before I buy. Thanks.
Sheryl
If any causes of stress in a tank go on for days, you can develop problems. This is why you have to observe your tanks for any sign of problems or potential problems. By the time you casually notice something is wrong it usually is a big problem.
Your fish's (or invert's) behavior will tell you if something is wrong. Really looking at your tank is the best thing you can do for your pets.
I will run my decision for species by you all before I buy. Thanks.
Sheryl
exoticaquatics
New member
I have had great luck with the tank raised Reidi's. Some coming from ORA and some from somewhere else. Not sure where. But they were all eating frozen mysis the day they came in. Not just sitting there waiting for the food to come to them but actually going after it. And they are pretty active as well. Cruising around the tank quite a bit. I would recommend tank raised as well, and make sure they are eating. I have had good luck with the banded pipefish as well. Most of the ones I have had lately have been eating mysis. Just be sure anything is eating before you buy it.
Paul B
Premium Member
I can't get a picture of this blue stripe for the life of me. The old real film camera's were so much easier for close ups.
Bluestripes require no care in an old tank. They feed themselves. I hatch live brine every other day but I really don't have to.
Paul
That fuzzy thing near the bottom is really a blue stripe.
Or a piece of lint,
:eek2:
Bluestripes require no care in an old tank. They feed themselves. I hatch live brine every other day but I really don't have to.
Paul
That fuzzy thing near the bottom is really a blue stripe.
Or a piece of lint,
:eek2:
Serra
New member
What is the difference between reidi and erectus? Which would be better to try and raise?
April- Does your horse tank have HOB filters? Do you have a protein skimmer on that tanks? What lights?
The tank I will set up is a 29 gal. 36x12x20. I would like to set it up to look like yours (on a smaller scale). I was very impressed with the look of your tank.
Sheryl
April- Does your horse tank have HOB filters? Do you have a protein skimmer on that tanks? What lights?
The tank I will set up is a 29 gal. 36x12x20. I would like to set it up to look like yours (on a smaller scale). I was very impressed with the look of your tank.
Sheryl
To try to raise - definitely erectus. Prettiest in your tank - definitely reidi.
Yes, my tank has HOB filters, no protein skimmer, no sump, no fuge, and the biowheels are in the HOB. The lights are 1 - 4 ft double VHO (I think) and 1 - 3ft 50/50. I bought the 4 ft fixture with the tank. There are 2 smallish bulbs, but no markings of any kind on them. They're pretty bright, but I just have to guess at what they are until I replace them.
Thanks for the compliments on my tank. I have recently re-done parts of it, and I think it looks even better. More tonga branch rock, a little less caulerpa, so I can see the horses easier.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
BTW, which are the height and width measurements on your tank? If it's a 36" high, that would be awesome!
Yes, my tank has HOB filters, no protein skimmer, no sump, no fuge, and the biowheels are in the HOB. The lights are 1 - 4 ft double VHO (I think) and 1 - 3ft 50/50. I bought the 4 ft fixture with the tank. There are 2 smallish bulbs, but no markings of any kind on them. They're pretty bright, but I just have to guess at what they are until I replace them.
Thanks for the compliments on my tank. I have recently re-done parts of it, and I think it looks even better. More tonga branch rock, a little less caulerpa, so I can see the horses easier.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
BTW, which are the height and width measurements on your tank? If it's a 36" high, that would be awesome!
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