What if I need to leave my seahorses for the weekend?

[OUBrook]

Hi, this is Brook Breitenkamp. I recently joined with Chris Carlsen. I'm new to COMAS, new to reefcentral, and new to seahorses. Needless to say, I need some advice. I'm not even sure if I'm posting this right!
Well, here's what I need help with: I just got my first seahorse and pipefish about 5 days ago, and I need to go away for the weekend. They have both been eating very well. I had no problems getting them to eat. I know that seahorses need a constant supply of food, so is there anything I can get that will allow me to take my weekend trip (given that I can't get a friend to feed them)?

 

[pwhitby]

The best bet is to have someone come by and drop in the food that you know they eat. If they dont eat on a regular basis they will die. I think one day without food is OK, but after two days you may be in trouble.

Sorry I cant be of more help,

Paul.

 

[Russ Braaten]

Paul,

What about loading the tank with live brine shrimp?

Russ

 

[pwhitby]

I have no idea Russ, I have never kept seahorses.

 

[sarai826]

Make some friends who know enough to come by and feed! Until that happens, perhaps you could try the refrigerated Decap'd Brine (LFS are carrying it now). A tablespoon, poured directly into the tank, provides eggs for immediate feeding and hatches out baby brine 24 hours later... Good luck!

 

[luvabunny]

I sent you this in a PM, but since you are new thought you may not know how to receive it.

If you are just going away for Sat and Sun, feed just before you leave and as soon as you return. Your horses will be fine.

Under no circumstances should you load the tank with live ghost shrimp or live adult brine. Live ghosts have an annoying habit of dying and fouling your water, causing an ammonia spike which will kill your horses. As for live adult brine, those that are not immediately eaten will circulate thru your filter and clog it up, eventually dying and causing a similar ammonia spike.

Tho the pipe might, adult horses do not eat baby brine shrimp, and hatching them in your tank will definitely cause poor water conditions, not to mention the possibility of hydroids.

Unfortunately, there is no machine that will dole out mysis on a daily basis.

If you do not know anyone, or trust anyone to feed for you (if you are going to be gone longer than just 2 days) PM or e-mail me and I'll help you out. Use the buttons at the top of this response. Either will get to me.