seahorse prices?

[Drake1]

ok i have been looking at getting into seahorses and i have noticed that prices for a mustang really very from $59 to $200. normally i would have bought the cheapest but i have always ordered clams from clamdirect and one time i went with the $29 specal at another place and now all my clams have pinched mantle disease so prices matter in atleast clams. Are seahorses the same type of thing? what price should i be looking at for a mustang. also 2 last questions, would a mustang be good in a 125 gallon and is he a good beginner horse? also is 81 degress to hot for them?
thanks jeff

 

[BruceW]

Jeff

Seahorses need special care and I have had the best success with them in a species only setup. That is the best way to go if you are a beginner with horses.

The so called "mustangs" are Hippocampus erectus which is a sub tropical to temperate species. I recommend keeping them below 74 degrees so 81 is way too high. Also this species is not a reef dweller so I use a lot of either seagrass or macro in my tanks.

One other thing is that the price is for a captive bred seahorse and CB seahorses have never been exposed to most diseases that wild caught fish play host to.

As for price all the "mustangs" are the same species you are just paying more for the colorful fish. Be advised that seahorses change color and there is no way of knowing what color you will end up with.

Bruce

 

[Duddly01]

The best places to buy horses in the US are seahorsesource.com or dracomarine.com. Both sell Erectus in the $50.00 range and are extremely well bred.

Never buy a seahorse based on color. They will change on a whim. My male erectus is usually a chocolate brown and female a gold color. He however can and often does change to an off-white or pinkish color and many other colors as well depending on his mood. Right now he is displaying for the girl alot and turns really bright yellow/white for her and puffs out his chest.

 

[ann83]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10057079#post10057079 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Duddly01
dracomarine.com.

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