Thinking about adding a sea horse

[FortyFour]

Howzit,

There are so many things to consider when talking SH's it is hard to begin thinking about adding one. I am wondering if I would be able to pull it off.

I have an 80G tank, and am contiplating whether or not one would be able to live in my refugium. The refugium is an 18G (tall), however the 6 in sandbed negates some of its height. I am planning on growing some cheato in the fuge and having it on a reverse light cycle w/ the DS. (practically fish only)

Just starting the thought process so any opinions would help.

Temp is usually around 78-80. I know SH need slightly cooler temps, but are there any that can live in my range.

I can't imagine adding anything unless it would have a chance to flourish, which is why this is a touchy one. Do SH's eat pods?

Joe

 

[LisaD]

Really, the tank is too small, will be too crowded (with chaeto) as well as on the warm side. I suggest you set up a separate, dedicated, tank, 29 gallons or so, for seahorses. They do eat pods, but more than you could produce in a fuge. Buy CB, healthy animals, trained to eat frozen mysis. That makes up the bulk of their diet in captivity.

 

[Goby-Wan Kenobi]

Maybe get a tall tank, like a hex. And the sh I seen a the lfs they all ate frozen foods.

 

[FortyFour]

Thanks for the input.

Lisa, lets say that down the road I set up a dedicated tank. Would it be best to plumb it with my main system?

 

[rayjay]

No, it would not be best to plumb into another system.
For the most part, seahorse keeping is fraught with many complications but by doing things to minimize those odds, one has a much better CHANCE of success.
While some can stick a pair of seahorses in their system and have success, there are a heck of a lot of seahorses that will die in the remainder of the attempts.
The less contact seahorses have with water contacting other fish, even other seahorses of differing types or same type different source, the more your odds increase for success.
Also, because seahorses are VERY prone to being overcome by bacterial infestations like vibrio, they are best kept in temperatures of 68° to 74°F which most reefs/fish only tanks are not.
Bacteria multiply exponentially with each rising degree temperature of the tank and experience has shown above 74° can be very problematic. In the wild, the seahorse doesn't have this problem as the water is continually changing and the bacteria can't build up to problem levels. In our tanks however.........

 

[FortyFour]

Thanks. Maybe one day I'll have the resources to pull it off. For now, it will remain as a "pipe" dream.

Now I need to break it to my girlfriend.