Seahorse 46 gallon

[t5Nitro]

Can you get away with a water change every 2 weeks of 5 gallons in a 46 gallon? I want to keep my old tank up for a seahorse tank, the water always stayed good with 0 nitrates in it with 5 gallons a week. I just want to get away from a lot of water changes every week since now I have a larger tank to change once a week.

I was thinking 2 kuda or reidi seahorse, or can a 46 gallon have 4 seahorse? Along with those, I wanted 2 clowns, a firefish maybe, and an auriga butterfly. They show aurigas peaceful so would it work? I always wanted a type of butterfly but I always had a reef, now the seahorse tank would be mostly macros and maybe soft corals like xenia or star polyps that grow too fast for a place to put them.

 

[fishymann]

With water changes its gotta do with how much you feed, how often, how clean your seahorses are and such, so yes you probably could. You could probably have 4 seahorses in that size tank.

Stay away from clownfish, they're agressive eaters and will hord the food not allowing the seahorses to get any. The firefish is a great idea they are great for seahorse setups. I'm not sure about auriga butterfly fish, but i think he may get to big for a 46 gallon. Sounds like your setup will be good (macros and a few softies) just make sure to keep it a low flow tank.

 

[t5Nitro]

I don't know on aggresive eating clowns. Mine just seem to sit there and wait for it to come from them, and when they do go out to get it, it is very slowly and grab a few pieces only.

Aurigas should be ok in a 46 gallon I would think, just depends if you can keep one or not with seahorse.

 

[ReefNutPA]

Take it from those who have tried and ultimately had to remove them - NO on the clowns. No matter how docile yours seem. Remember - they are still in the damsel family no matter how cool they look Their erradic swimming patterns along with their two-faced personalities often cause problems. Since you'll most likely ignore the warnings (LOL), just be prepared to remove the clowns at the first signs of aggression.

While I don't keep any fish tankmates in any of my seahorse tanks, others do with little problems. You do, however, want to keep the tankmates to SMALL non-aggressive fish. Butterfly's are far from small. Just their presence could be enough to stress the seahorses, even if they are peaceful.

What hobbyists fail to realize is tankmates can stress out seahorses without actually doing anything to them. Just being in the tank with seahorses can be enough to make the seahorses feel uneasy and stressed.

Tom

 

[mollymonticello]

I agree with Tom. "clownfish are just damsels in fancy pajamas." While it is physically possible to keep fish with seahorses, it's not easy. You're setting yourself up for failure when you keep seahorses mixed with other fish (with a few exceptions). Ask any DEDICATED seahorse keeper or breeder, and they'll tell you... Seahorses are hard enough, why make it harder on yourself? Just get another tank

And seahorses are "messy" eaters and produce a lot of waste for their size. A 46 would prob be enough for 4 seahorses, but I don't know if you could get away with 10% every two weeks. Good luck.

 

[vipjd39]

i agree with the No clownfish and butterfly... we had a clownfish with our seahorses for about 4 months and all was fine until the clownfish decided to start nipping at 1 of our horses ... we almost had to take out all the rock in our tank just to catch the clown fish it was a pita. We do have a target mandarin that is now in with our seahorses and he is a great tankmate. He comes out at feeding time along with the rest of the sh group. good luck with your setup!

 

[lakehorse61]

i have a 46 bow with 4 seahorses, a peacock dragonet and 2 shrimpfish. i have kept a percula clown with my horses before & dont recommend it either. they are too fast swimming imo. a butterfly might be good to keep the bristel worms at bay. problem because of frequent feedings.

i have peppermint shrimp & feeder shrimp that have over grown as well as several soft corals.

i do 12 gallons every two weeks and seems to be fine with a hang on filter & small protein skimmer.

good luck.