Seahorse in Tank

jtgrimes

New member
Need more information from my previous post.

Ever since I got into this hobby my girlfriend has wanted to see a seahorse in the tank. Currently I have a 30 gal which soon will be a 75gal. I keep my temp at 78 to 79 degrees.

I also have a clown, chromis, purple gramma, yellow goby, shrimp, gorgonian, sinularia, pagoda, xenia, toadstool, hairy mushroom, brain, acro.

Need to know if a sea horse can live in this environment?
 
Sorry, the temps are really too high even for tropical seahorses. Yes, in the vast ocean some species are found at those temps. But our aquariums are quite different from the ocean. There is continuous dilution in the ocean. At high temps, bacterias multiply very quickly....good and bad.

Most successful hobbyists keep dedicated seahorse tanks and have the temps between 72-74F, with the exception of those species needing chillers and temps below 70F.

Sorry.

Tom
 
I have heard as much as 82 degrees within a tank and everything is fine. Thoughts? Just trying to do some research.
 
One of the leading causes of death (Probably #2 besides starvation) among captive seahorses is a bacteria called Vibrio. Vibrio bacteria are more aggressive at temperatures higher than 74 degrees. I'm not a pathologist, but how I understand it is this-- a protein in the bacteria changes at these higher temperatures, and the seahorse's immune system can't fight it off. 74 degrees is where you cross the line. Even 75 degrees isn't safe.

I am a strong believer that seahorses need cooler temperatures in captivity. I keep mine around 68.
 
I was just wondering because I have never heard anyone metion it.

In reference to low temps to ensure a bacteria free enviroment for seahorses. Will a good UV sterilizer eliminate these harmful bacteria?
 
A UV will do next to nothing to remove the risk. UV's only kill what pass through them. Bacteria's grow very fast. Some can double there population in 20 minutes. A UV is great if using a central sump to keep multiple tanks from sharing pathogens, but will not eliminate the bacteria population in a system.

Temperature really is the issue here. At higher temperatures the bacteria's are much more virulent and will change there protein structure to one that is not recognized by the seahorses immune system.

Even with previous resistance (an asymptomatic carrier state does appear to exist) to the bacteria, at the higher temperature the population density of the bacteria coupled with it's aggressive state is a much larger danger then a tank with a lower temperature.

Reef tanks are fine at higher temps, seahorses used to be considered to have similiar needs. Those of us that have followed seahorses for some time, and have kept them succsessfully have seen how much of a difference the lower temps make in regards to disease control. When I started in this hobby a seahorses would live for a year or two tops. When I kept an adult WC for 5.5 years I was kind shocked, Davd kept one for 7 years. Just saying things are moving up.

Oh, and the clown and chromis would have to go, the hairy mushroom is iffy, the shrimp staying would depend on species of the shrimp, and the seahorses will pretty much kill your acro with it's constant hitching.

My advice would be to turn our 30g into a seahorse tank when you move up to the 75g. Get some macro algae and branch rock for decor. The macro will help with the water quaility, provide a place for the seahorses to play, and give you a new challenge in the hobby.

JMO, that and a quarter will still get you a phone call, some places.
 
You can check out this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1526629

I only know of two instances (that I believe) of long term success with seahorses using the "typical" reef aquarium husbandry methods, i.e. water temperatures hovering around 82 degrees F.

One is a reefcentral member who recently posted that he collected his own horses and regularly collected both wild live food for those horses and collected natural saltwater for them. I believe that he also is quite an experienced hobbyist and keeps a close eye on the fish. It is important to note that he has handled these horses since they have left the ocean and has been in control of all their transportation and acclimation periods. Even he contends that his situation is unusual.

The other are commerical enterprises that have large systems (hundreds of gallons) with many trained/educated staff members and the ability to process 1,000s of gallons of natural saltwater daily. These companies typically have access to various live and frozen foods, as well.

I do know of public aquariums that have lost their horses to bacteria.

Why chance it?
 
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