Fr0zEn4244
New member
I am new to keeping sea horses but I am going to be adding them to my 60G mixed reef. Should I add all pairs at once or add pairs 1 at a time?
Sea Horses
- Thread starter Fr0zEn4244
- Start date
You SHOULD NOT add seahorses to a mixed reef tank/system.
Seahorse requirements for best chances of success are such that they most likely won't survive long term in that tank.
Any stinging corals can doom the seahorses, and the seahorses with their "dirty" water conditions, are likely to cause the demise of some or all of sps corals.
The great majority of fish are NOT suitable companions, and, even if they are, may expose the seahorses to pathogens they haven't grown up with and cannot handle.
Most reef tanks are kept warmer than recommended for seahorse well-being.
Because they are so susceptible to bacterial problems, the temperature range recommended is 68° to 74°.
For the basics on what you should know to keep seahorses, check out the links at the BOTTOM of "My Thoughts on Seahorse Keeping", written by experienced keepers and a breeder.
Seahorse requirements for best chances of success are such that they most likely won't survive long term in that tank.
Any stinging corals can doom the seahorses, and the seahorses with their "dirty" water conditions, are likely to cause the demise of some or all of sps corals.
The great majority of fish are NOT suitable companions, and, even if they are, may expose the seahorses to pathogens they haven't grown up with and cannot handle.
Most reef tanks are kept warmer than recommended for seahorse well-being.
Because they are so susceptible to bacterial problems, the temperature range recommended is 68° to 74°.
For the basics on what you should know to keep seahorses, check out the links at the BOTTOM of "My Thoughts on Seahorse Keeping", written by experienced keepers and a breeder.
MandarinGirl
New member
Seahorses should be in a species only tank with maybe a goby or two depending on the size of the tank. Also absolutely NO CORAL especially anemones. The little stingers will hurt them.
Curtispants
New member
No corals at all??
There are varying opinions on what to put in with seahorses.
IMO:
In the case of fish, while some may be compatible, you are definitely increasing the odds of transferring pathogens from the other fish to the seahorses, and seahorses DO have a problem dealing with pathogens they haven't been exposed to while growing up.
As for corals, most sps will have a problem dealing with the "dirty" water that is inherent with seahorse tanks due to their eating habits.
Generally speaking, the other corals could be considered suitable if they don't sting, and, will tolerate the temperature range of 68° to 74° recommended for seahorse keeping. Probably best to give them a dip of some kind to lessen the chances of pathogen transfer to the tank from wherever the corals come from.
Another consideration is the light requirement of the corals, as some high light demanding corals might end up with tanks too warm.
IMO:
In the case of fish, while some may be compatible, you are definitely increasing the odds of transferring pathogens from the other fish to the seahorses, and seahorses DO have a problem dealing with pathogens they haven't been exposed to while growing up.
As for corals, most sps will have a problem dealing with the "dirty" water that is inherent with seahorse tanks due to their eating habits.
Generally speaking, the other corals could be considered suitable if they don't sting, and, will tolerate the temperature range of 68° to 74° recommended for seahorse keeping. Probably best to give them a dip of some kind to lessen the chances of pathogen transfer to the tank from wherever the corals come from.
Another consideration is the light requirement of the corals, as some high light demanding corals might end up with tanks too warm.
As I do respect Rayjay a lot when it comes to horses. This is one area where we differ on opinion. I will tell you that we personally have fans, gorgonians, acans, leathers, and zoas in our seahorse tank. We do take extra precaution with dips prior to transfer to the tank. We have LED's over the tank and have no heat issue at all. Corals are fine just be smart about it, dip to prevent nasty stuff.
