Seahorse Tank [+4 img]

[Aligator93]

Hi. New to the hobby. My first salt water tank and, first aquarium in general.

Got it started about 4 months ago. It's been a fun and interesting process. I'd like to introduce myself and my undersea friends.

40 Gal 36" x 15" x 17"

1 Ocelatted Dragonet (Neosynchiropus ocellatus)

2 Yellow Rose Goby (Stonogobiops nematodes)
1 Randall's Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus randalli)

2 Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus)

3 Turbo Snails / 2 others
2 Fighting Conches

Caulerpa Prolifera
Yellow Finger Gorgonian
Purple Brush Gorgonian
Pulsating Xenia.
+ other macro

Just looking for feedback / advice or suggestions / and to just learn what I can.

BTW, is anyone able to confirm that they either are or are not H. erectus through the picture? Higher res available. I still don't feel 100% certain, and would like to get mates for them as they look to both be female.

 

[ReefNutPA]

Seahorses are two females.... but they are not Erectus.

 

[namxas]

can't quite make out the species of SH on the right, but the yellow one on the left is H. reidi.

 

[Aligator93]

Thanks for the replies. From looking online my suspicions were H. Reidi.

 

[fishguy194]

The one on the right looks like H. kellogi. If you ought them from the same source at the same time I would assume they are both H. kellogi. If not I would think the one on the left is H. reidi. If they're both kellogi I would wait ~ 6 months before find mates because they may yet be too young to have developed pouches. Wild and pen raised seahorses tend to not develop pouches until they are older unlike tank raised ones.

 

[namxas]

the SH on the right is either H. kuda, or possibly a kuda x kelloggi. however, the SH on the left is DEFINITELY H. reidi.

F H. reidi:

 

[Aligator93]

Very interesting. I'll try to get a better picture of the darker one. The photo above makes their shape look different, but in-tank they are very similar. They were bought at the same time / same place / same tank, and were actually both yellow. The one retaining the yellow was the most vibrant and hasn't changed. The one that has darkened was yellow, but not as strong; the color has changed quite a bit. I'm actually waiting to hear from the LFS any information about them from their source... but I'm certainly not holding my breath.

 

[namxas]

i'm basically going by general shape, snout length, and coronet. your SH look fairly young, so that will also throw a bit of doubt into the equation. some good head profile shots would be helpful. however, i still think the SH on the left is reidi.

 

[Trevor15]

very nice tank

 

[Kingumar]

very good setup. Im giving seahorses a shot soon!

 

[small alien]

Lovely tank. You're doing a fantastic job for your first effort. Good for you!

What temp do you keep your tank at?

What is your feeding regimen?

Thanks and good luck!

 

[Aligator93]

Thank you for the comments. I was hoping to get a nice, natural setting for them.

Both have turned black- it looks to just be a gradual maturity process? They certainly can eat!

Currently the tank is at 73' F. With slight fluctuations depending on the time of day. So far, with end of summer and approaching winter, it's seeming to do well with no need for a heater or chiller. I do monitor the temps closely. I've heard so many varying ranges though...

I feed them frozen mysis in the morning for a few minutes by a baster. Occasionally they'll go to the dish at the bottom. They prefer feeding as it floats around, but I notice them hanging around the dish from time to time- in which case it'll then be empty. I was dying to get a picture this morning, my Scooter climbed in it and curled up perfectly, but with all his fin movement was just blowing it all around- haha.

If I manage to be home before my lights turn off they'll get a second feeding, so, that is a few days out of the week. Besides that there are copepods and such. They're actually good about scouting for bits left on the substrate as well.

Every night they rest together an inch or two up from the base of the purple gorgonian. It's cute.

From a week or so ago, just wanted to add because I loved it:

 

[1904]

that is a nice tank

that is a nice tank

i might be giving dwarf seahorses a shot in the near future

 

[Trevor15]

That last pic is really cool.. I can't wait until I start my own seahorse tank...

Trevor

 

[evilspaz]

Very nice tank! what lights are you running?

 

[minnemoline]

Nice setup! Great pics!

 

[arcprolife]

Thats a really cute picture of them holding tales. I never seem to get such good shots like so many other people do. That picture should help you get an ID on both of them.

 

[hul kogan]

Very cool tank! I'm a fan.

I'm really loving your Ocelatted Dragonet. I know he isn't the centerpiece, but I still think he's a awesome looking little guy!

 

[Aligator93]

Thanks again. They seem to have grown quite a bit, and have a more 'mature' look to them I guess.

As a treat I gave them phyto-fed brine shrimp so they could have some activity and chase. They liked them, and so did the gobies and dragonet.
It was fun to watch, although I must admit even the little brine shrimp are cute.

As for tank equipment, I use:

- Nova Extreme T5HO
39w 460nm actinic
39w 10,000K

- Tunze nano DOC skimmer 9002

- Marineland C-160

 

[richardhmc]

Your dragonet is soooo coool