KeepOnReefin
New member
I am wanting to breed Seahorses. I have two female kuda's (what the LFS said) in the tank already.. Is it best to get 1 male, 2 males, or 1 of each?
wanting to breed Seahorses
- Thread starter KeepOnReefin
- Start date
ReefNutPA
New member
You've certainly started with one of the more difficult species to try to start breeding. Kuda fry are about as difficult to rear as Reidi fry, unfortunately.
That being said, I personally prefer equal male/female ratios in my tanks. So I'd purchase two males to go along with the two females you have.
Best of luck...
Tom
That being said, I personally prefer equal male/female ratios in my tanks. So I'd purchase two males to go along with the two females you have.
Best of luck...
Tom
KeepOnReefin
New member
why is it that they are hard to breed?...hmm you have me thinking now...Because it is not good to mix species within a tank.
ReefNutPA
New member
They are easy to breed....the fry are very challenging to raise. They are palegic (do not hitch for weeks) and require rotifers as their first food during the first week or two. So, you'll need to be culturing and enriching rotifers.
I'm assuming you've researched setting up a suitable fry tank for palegic seahorse fry. Most use the fishbowl/kreisel method, but some are having success with regular rectangular tanks with airlines strategically placed within the tank to keep the fry off the surface. Daily siphoning of detritus and water changes are a must on the fry tanks. They should optimally be fed at least 4 times a day. Do not leave food in the tank continually, as they will end up continuously eating but not digesting the food and will end up starving to death.
They aren't impossible to raise, just very difficult/challenging. I've yet to get any of the broods mine have had past 3 or 4 weeks. Erectus would have been a MUCH better choice for a beginner seahorse if your interest is in breeding.
You're correct - it's not good to mix species within a tank
Tom
I'm assuming you've researched setting up a suitable fry tank for palegic seahorse fry. Most use the fishbowl/kreisel method, but some are having success with regular rectangular tanks with airlines strategically placed within the tank to keep the fry off the surface. Daily siphoning of detritus and water changes are a must on the fry tanks. They should optimally be fed at least 4 times a day. Do not leave food in the tank continually, as they will end up continuously eating but not digesting the food and will end up starving to death.
They aren't impossible to raise, just very difficult/challenging. I've yet to get any of the broods mine have had past 3 or 4 weeks. Erectus would have been a MUCH better choice for a beginner seahorse if your interest is in breeding.
You're correct - it's not good to mix species within a tank
Tom
KeepOnReefin
New member
ahhh.. misunderstanding... i was thinking that they were hard to breed... as in they didnt like to .... you know.. yes, i have done research about raising the fry... seems like a daily fun job! I would really like to breed the Zulu-lulus, for there are only a few left.. But I cant find any.
KeepOnReefin
New member
when chosing a male to breed, it is best to choose a yonger one correct? 7-8 months old sound right? Do they like mating at later ages also? Do they ever get a vasectomy?
How long is that piece of string again?
What seahorse are you planning on breeding?
IMO 8 months is too young for most of the medium to large species, but fine for dwarf species.
It may be better to determine which species is easy to raise the fry and easy to keep the seahorse first, then get specific...
KeepOnReefin
New member
lol.. well... I have been keeping 2 female kudas.. they are, and have been happily thriving. This is why I was wanting to breed the kudas...because i have the females and only need the males....rather than mixing species (which i would never do) or setting up another tank. Appreciate your input!
