Seahorses in a 125 tank??

[beaupierce]

Ok ok before everyone gets all up in arms I just have to ask. Can it be done? Has anyone ever done it? I went to Las Vegas and they had a HUGE tank with a full reef teeming with seahorses. How is it done?
I would really like to keep them in my 125 reef. How do I do it? I am open to all ideas....
thanks

 

[ann83]

Sure you can. But, the reef would have to be seahorse safe in that the flow would need to be broken up so that it didn't blow the seahorses around, there could be no stinging corals, anemones, crabs, clams, etc., and all tankmates would need to be seahorse safe. Basically, as long as it was set up just like a giant seahorse tank, I think it would be wonderful. I also think that you would need to be sure to purchase healthy aquacultured seahorses (www.seahorsesource.com, www.dracomarine.org, www.nyseahorse.com) who are trained to frozen foods, and you would probably have to utilize 2 feeding stations in the tank to feed them. Here's a good list of seahorse safe tankmates, corals, and inverts http://www.seahorse.org/library/articles/tankmates.shtml but keep in mind that most of the 3's and some of the 2's really don't make good tankmates either so double check your choices by doing searches for them on seahorse forums and see what other's experiences are.

 

[ann83]

Oh, and I forgot the most important part. The temps in the reef would not be able to exceed 74 degrees for the health of the seahorses ("tropical" in seahorse terms doesn't mean the same thing as "tropical" in other fish terms ). But, there are many corals, inverts, and tankmates that are fine at temps around 70-73.

 

[beaupierce]

Awesome. I'll look into it. You have been more than helpful

 

[sugartooth]

I have a 130 gal. dedicated tank and love it. However, I wouldn't do it again after these guys pass on.....

 

[beaupierce]

sugartooth, why wouldn't you do it again? Problems? Issues? any advice would be great

 

[FishyMel]

Yes, enquiring minds want to know. I am presently working with a 75 and want to know what the downside to the bigger tank would be?

 

[sugartooth]

No, nothing that has to do with a bigger tank and seahorses. I'm somewhat of a 'worry wort' and these ponies are driving me towards ulcers. I guess with the large tank, everything I do is that much more fold over a smaller more manageable tank.

I've gone through gas bubble, wounds and infections, (perceived only, they were fine) countless babies, making sure everyone is eating and accounted for, (I have 8 total) and then my latest....the dreaded bristleworms.

Many people tell me not to worry about the bristleworms, but really they are freaking me out. Sooooo, I decided to tear apart my tank 1/2 at a time. I yanked out 1/2 my rock, air dried, then freshwater dip, air dry, then dip again to hunt for these guys.

Then back to the tub they went to cure again. I have to do the second half of the tank and really don't have the energy to do it.

So, really the main reason I wouldn't do it again is because I worry about them constantly. When there are babies I spend over an hour trying to get them all and into a nursery, etc. Of course it is a choice and I can choose to ignore them and not cause myself more trouble, however I just can't walk away from babies in the main tank knowing they are going to get sucked into the filtration.

I would say 90 gallons would be a great tank.

The pros are that they are so fun to watch! I see them courting and dancing and it's so fun. The babies are too cute and they are so proud of themselves.

 

[beaupierce]

wow seems like a lot of work. But it does seem to pay off if yu spend the time. What type would you suggest starting with? How many?

 

[sugartooth]

beaupierce, if you are asking me....yes, it does pay off.

As for suggestions, that really is up to you and what suits you.
The most important items to stick to when purchasing them is health and behavior.

They should be active and alert as well as eating frozen foods. If they are at the store, you should ask that they be fed in order to see them eat. If the owner will tell you who the breeder is, even better. It's best to choose these seahorses that come from reputable suppliers.

Also, you have to be willing to keep your tank around 72-74 F (for most of the avail. seahorses) but keep in mind there are others that should be kept even cooler than that...it's up to you what you want to do. Just be sure you can supply adequate care.

I currently have Reidi, Barbourri, and Erectus. They are all from the same store that was kept in the same tank, but I don't believe they are from the same source. I took a risk putting them all together, another reason I worry about them a lot.

So far, there haven't been health issues in the 130. When I first started, I had a 20 gallon and my male Reidi ended up with gas bubble repeatedly.

It's very strange, but sometimes I don't think the 130 is big enough for all 8 of them!

 

[seamonkey2]

Actually bigger is better, never be afraid of having a big tank, just plan correctly and you will love the results.

with more water you have more room for horses

before anybody asks, I had a 215ga with over 3 yes 3 dozen horses of different species living super happy and cross mating everywhere, also 6 different species of pipes and a couple of fish

my only problem was that I had babies every week, and I mean I had them by the hundreads, I spend some money in food to, every week I put in the tank 2,000 ghost shrimp for my horsies, and also fed them mysys once a day, yes they where fat

I had over 700 lbs of LR some softies, hundreads of snails and snails, a whole lot of gizmos.


I kept this set up for well over 2 years, I still have the tank but now I have fish in it only

plan correctly and you will love it

Jose