Your favorite species of seahorse and why?

[loyalrogue]

Just like it says.
I'm trying to take a sampling on what make a particular species your favorite to give me something to chew on while I make plans for my own stocklist.

Personally, I really like the patterns and branching appendages in some of the photos I've found of lined seahorse, H. Erectus.
Are the appendages a variation or do they come with age?

 

[rayjay]

My favorite horses are any that are captive bred, tank raised and it doesn't matter what species.
I have Reidi's, Barbs, and Angustus, but would probably have others if they were available to me.

I think the appendages you mention are called Ciri, but my horse gradually lost them as she matured.

 

[loyalrogue]

So the ciri are related to age as a camouflage when the seahorse is a juvenile, and disappear as the seahorse matures?
That makes much more sense than my intial thought.

Does anyone have fully matured seahorse that have kept the long branching ciri?

Also, thanks for the CB, TR reference, but the reason I am asking for a specific species is that I've been reading here that there are less problems keeping a single species than mixing.
Before I decide on a particular species I want to hear from the experienced pony people what makes for their favorite.

 

[philter4]

Actually the cirri are used for camoflage at all ages, I collect all of my own seahorses, (I know that isn't the popular answer) both longsnouts and lined, and if they are in the grass flats they don't have any, if they are in sargassum weed they have lots of them and when in tanks they gradually lose them. Not sure if they would ever grow them back, I don't keep sargassum weed so I have no way of knowing, but all of the ones I've ever collected for either myself or for sale (I used to collect for a living) would lose the cirri within a few days to weeks once they were no longer in the weed.

It would be interesting to find out if anyone had one and kept it in a tank that simulated sargassum weed if they would not lose the cirri or if the didn't have them if they would actually grow them.

 

[loyalrogue]

Hi Philter4,

Nice to see a local chime in.
I, and a few others I know down here, also do our own recreational collecting of fish, inverts, and corals.
I'm also in the process of filling out the application for a letter authorizing collection of the different species of local seagrasses (H johnsonii is the only hold-up atm).

If you don't mind my asking, could you pm me and let me know what shorediving areas close to Broward you've found that are good for collecting seahorse and any of the harder to find grasses in your experience?

Thanks

 

[ladybug5234]

So that's what ReefWreak meant... you're starting in seahorses. BTW, I know you said you collect, but if you are ever interested in CB, seahorsesource is right here in S. FLorida. They have one of the best captive bred facilities I've seen, and lots of different SH, not just Erectus.

 

[loyalrogue]

Yeah, I blame it all on ReefWreak. :lol:

He mentioned a seagrass tank in a thread were I was selling a 33L, and that got me thinking.
One thing lead to another, and now I'm looking at starting a fullblown seahorse, seagrass, mangrove biotope just when I was promising the wife I was cutting down and getting rid of tanks. lol

Btw, I already checked out seahorsesource, and liked what I saw.
I may end up ordering from there in the end, but I figure I might as well see what's swimming around locally while I'm hunting grasses.
I plan on stocking the tank with as many natural local specimens as possible.

 

[ladybug5234]

Well, I've been into reefing for many, many years and this is the first time I have done SH and planted tanks. It is A LOT of work, but definately worth it. BTW, forget vacationing... these guys need constant care, feedings, etc... lol.

It has been very hard to get good macros, so if you come across any for sale, or end up collecting and selling any, let me know as I am extremely interested in some.

 

[loyalrogue]

Where are you located, ladybug?
So long as it's not protected species, bag limit on marine plants is 1gallon per person per day with a recreational saltwater fishing license ($17).

Btw, you're welcome to share whatever I find.

 

[ladybug5234]

I am in Vero Beach. I do have a boat and we are planning to start going out soon through the Fort Pierce inlet. Do you have any links that can guide me to which species are protected and which are not?

 

[loyalrogue]

By Florida law (with a saltwater license) you can collect 1 gallon per person per day of the following marine plants:

Caulerpa - Any species of the Family Caulerpaceae.
Halimeda/mermaid’s fan/mermaid’s shaving brush - Any species of the Family Halimedaceae.
Coralline red algae - Any species of the Family Corallinaceae.

You're not allowed to take any live rock that they might be attached to.

Mangroves and seagrasses are protected.
You can apply for a 1yr permit from the Department of Environmental Protection to legal collect all seagrass species except Johnson's seagrass (Halophila johnsonii) from state waters.

The exception to this is the "free floating" rule.
Mangrove pods that are unrooted, unleaved and floating free or washed up are fair game, and seagrass that has been dislodged from the bottom and floating free or washed up is fair game.
The only problem with torn up/washed up seagrass is that the root structure is probably missing or too damaged to survive.

Another exception is to find a dredging or boat dock/seawall project that has already been issued a permit to remove the seabed, and collect from within that area.

Here's a good page on basic marine collection rules and species: http://myfwc.com/RULESANDREGS/Saltwater_Regulations_recharvestmls.htm

 

[ladybug5234]

Thanks!!! Let me know if you come across any you end up not wanting & I'll do the same (although I'm a few weeks before I go out).