Seahorse Nano

[Kalkie1104]

Hey everyone, I just recently bought a 16 Nuvo Nano from best in pets and set up a nano reef in it. I liked it so much that I decided to pick up another and want to do a seahorse set-up. This will be my first seahorse tank and am new to the whole idea of it. If anyone could offer some experienced advice it would be much appreciated.

 

[rayjay]

Unfortunately, that tank is too small for standard seahorses, most of which need at least 29/30g for one pair and an additional 15g for each additional pair, and, it's a way too large for dwarf seahorses.
You can start your seahorse education by clicking the links at the bottom of my page, "My Thoughts on Seahorse Keeping"
These links lead to basic start information for the seahorse hobby.

 

[Kalkie1104]

I really appreciate the advice before I dove into it! Seahorses always interested me but the inconsistant supply at local stores never gave me the opportunity to give it a go. I will be converting one of my larger tanks for the task now.

 

[Saltydrip]

Why would the tank be considered way too large? Wouldn't it be better to have a little extra swimming space? Plus it would allow for more plant growth and that would lead to more abundant biology.

I have never had seahorses but ill be moving at the end of the month and we have always wanted seahorses. Figure it would be a great time to try in a 20L

 

[Saltydrip]

Hmm. Just read up on dwarfs and totally understand now. I didn't realize they were so small

 

[rayjay]

And not just because of their size, but the fact that they pretty well need live food to survive on, meaning newly hatched, ongrown and enriched baby brine shrimp.
As they don't hunt down foods anything like their larger cousins, with most preferring to sit hitched and wait for food to pass by close enough to snick without leaving that hitch, food density has to be very dense, a WAY more than they will eat in a feeding.
Then, you need to remove the uneaten live food before the next feeding because the enrichment will have been used up and they will no longer be nutritious enough.
For this reason, small aquariums like a 5g tank can be quite successful for 20 dwarfs or more.

 

[Saltydrip]

That's crazy. I think I'll look into the larger guys myself. I know my GF would rather a larger pair. Ill continue looking into it.

 

[rayjay]

You can keep a pair in a 29g tank, and you can check the links at the bottom of my page linked above in post number 2 for more information from experienced keepers and probably the best breeder in the business.