Stocking question
- Thread starter kjdeut
- Start date
Fishfreak218
New member
Dont mix diff. Species in the same tank...you could possibly do 8 SH's in total..maybe more.maybe less i know Jonkov45 (sp??) has 8 SH's in a 45g. tank but it has ALOT of Macroalgea, so that helps with water Quality...
Anthony Calfo
New member
I very much agree... do not mix species. It's hard enough minimizing competition between kin. Adding other species with perhaps slightly different gorwth rates or feding habits can too easily handicap success.
As for stocking, do be mindful of adult sizes. I'd say/agree one per five gallons here on the low end. Twice that much space would be nice/better IMO presuming they are hearty feeders.
Anthony
As for stocking, do be mindful of adult sizes. I'd say/agree one per five gallons here on the low end. Twice that much space would be nice/better IMO presuming they are hearty feeders.
Anthony
Swanwillow
goby girl
some people do mix species, they'll probaly speak up...
I'd go for a nice even dozen horses... just cause its SO BIG of a tank...
make sure you quarentine all new arrivals, otherwise ya'll be killing yourself sterilizing everything when/if bacteria comes into the tank
I'd go for a nice even dozen horses... just cause its SO BIG of a tank...
make sure you quarentine all new arrivals, otherwise ya'll be killing yourself sterilizing everything when/if bacteria comes into the tank
Swanwillow
goby girl
oh, and I don't mix species, and am split on the issue (if it matters)
pledosophy
Active member
I agree it is a bad idea to mix species.
The main problem associated with mixing species of seahorses is a bacteria that many seahorses are asymptomatic carriers of. Even after a long and detailed QT period a seahorse who is a carrier of vibrio will show no signs of illness.
The problem does not arise until this seahorse is exposed to another seahorse that has no previous exposure to this strain of the bacteria. The exposure to this new bacteria will often create illness. The same is true on both ends.
Many times the mixing of species relates in serious vibrio related diseases, the usual side effect being death.
Jeff Mitchell of Shedd's aquarium has identified strains of vibrio in every syngnathaide they have examined in there facility.
Dr Belli has necropsied several seahorses finding various strains of vibrio in multiple species, although his findings support the theory that not all seahorses are carriers.
Mixing species is a crap shoot. You have a chance of everything being fine. IME the chance is slim. Most encounter serious problems when mixing species. You will find storiesof it being O.K. but they are as rare as the stories of someone finding a juvie reidi in there tank that they never inew was born.
Problems sometimes arise when mixing CB seahorses from different breeders even if they are the same species due to what each breeders system has in the tanks.
In short, I would stay away from mixing. There are several in depth discussions in this forum on the topic. Try looking for "Should I do this". There is some good info there.
The main problem associated with mixing species of seahorses is a bacteria that many seahorses are asymptomatic carriers of. Even after a long and detailed QT period a seahorse who is a carrier of vibrio will show no signs of illness.
The problem does not arise until this seahorse is exposed to another seahorse that has no previous exposure to this strain of the bacteria. The exposure to this new bacteria will often create illness. The same is true on both ends.
Many times the mixing of species relates in serious vibrio related diseases, the usual side effect being death.
Jeff Mitchell of Shedd's aquarium has identified strains of vibrio in every syngnathaide they have examined in there facility.
Dr Belli has necropsied several seahorses finding various strains of vibrio in multiple species, although his findings support the theory that not all seahorses are carriers.
Mixing species is a crap shoot. You have a chance of everything being fine. IME the chance is slim. Most encounter serious problems when mixing species. You will find storiesof it being O.K. but they are as rare as the stories of someone finding a juvie reidi in there tank that they never inew was born.
Problems sometimes arise when mixing CB seahorses from different breeders even if they are the same species due to what each breeders system has in the tanks.
In short, I would stay away from mixing. There are several in depth discussions in this forum on the topic. Try looking for "Should I do this". There is some good info there.
You can probably keep a good 6 pairs or so in your tank. In the past I had up to 8 seahorses (erectus) in my 37 gallon tank. That's following the past recommendation of one seahorse per 5 gallon with no tanks smaller than about 25 gallon. I only had 2 breeding pairs in that tank, however.
That is the reason I am worried about ordering another pair of horses from another breeder like Danu or Captain Mac. I have a pair of erectus from OR and have only considered buying from them again. Now does it matter if I keep the siblings from mom and dad in the same tank?
Swanwillow
goby girl
I'd RATHER have danu's horses than OR's, but I dunno. it would be taking a similar risk, but I think that I'd chance it, as long as its the same species. Danu's horses just look and are SO nice.
for the most part I have been very happy with my pair from OR. I have had them since last June but have only had one batch of fry. That is what I don't understand. But that is probably my fault not OR. I really want a pair of erecetus with appendages. I don't know if Danu has them or not. I know that Dr. Mac does.
Swanwillow
goby girl
yes, he does... but they are short supply because, well...
everyone wants em
everyone wants em
johnkov418
New member
Like fishfreak218 mentioned I do have 8 seahorses in my 45 gallon, but I do an 8 gallon water change every Wendsday evening to keep everything in check and nitrates down..
As far as mixing species I have 3 Mustangs(erectus) 2 Sunbursts(erectus) and 3 Barbouri in the tank.. It has only been a little over a week but so far so good.. The barbs were small but they eat ALOT .. It won't be very long and they will gain some size..
They all seem to get along and all still have a great appetite, so I am satisfied.. Good luck with the tank and post some pic's, we all enjoy them, John
As far as mixing species I have 3 Mustangs(erectus) 2 Sunbursts(erectus) and 3 Barbouri in the tank.. It has only been a little over a week but so far so good.. The barbs were small but they eat ALOT .. It won't be very long and they will gain some size..
They all seem to get along and all still have a great appetite, so I am satisfied.. Good luck with the tank and post some pic's, we all enjoy them, John
Swanwillow
goby girl
they do WHAT!!!!
