S
shrimpy brains
Guest
Dwarf seahorses, they are just babies.
They are so stinkin' cute!!
Dwarf seahorses, they are just babies.
They are so stinkin' cute!!
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
too cute!!
S
shrimpy brains
Guest
S
shrimpy brains
Guest
Alright, I know there are a couple of people on here that keep these.
A few questions, if you don't mind.
I have them in a 3g pico. Had it set up or about 2 months. Just had a mini cycle as I added most things from my reef tank. Params are great but just added ponies yesterday. Was thinking of changing 2 cups to a 1/2 gallon daily to keep things right. Does this sound good? or Overkill??
Water seems to stay around 73-74 naturally. I think that is good, right? In case temp does climb for any reason, I heard you could make sw ice cubes. Was thinking I would freeze some and could drop 1 in the filter to cool tank, if needed. Any opinions on this??
Also, I am currently feeding 3times daily as the are babies, was hoping to drop back to twice daily as they get older. That sound ok??
And here is the feeding challenge!! The babies (so far) stay towards the bottom of tank. When I add the brine, they go to top, as they are attracted to the light. So, I turn off light, in addition to the pump, and use a flashlight to lure the brine to where the ponies are?? Do you do this?? Do you just turn off light?? How long per feeding??
And last ? for now! I have a compulsion to try and feed variety.Have you found anything else the these little guys might like to eat??
A few questions, if you don't mind.
I have them in a 3g pico. Had it set up or about 2 months. Just had a mini cycle as I added most things from my reef tank. Params are great but just added ponies yesterday. Was thinking of changing 2 cups to a 1/2 gallon daily to keep things right. Does this sound good? or Overkill??
Water seems to stay around 73-74 naturally. I think that is good, right? In case temp does climb for any reason, I heard you could make sw ice cubes. Was thinking I would freeze some and could drop 1 in the filter to cool tank, if needed. Any opinions on this??
Also, I am currently feeding 3times daily as the are babies, was hoping to drop back to twice daily as they get older. That sound ok??
And here is the feeding challenge!! The babies (so far) stay towards the bottom of tank. When I add the brine, they go to top, as they are attracted to the light. So, I turn off light, in addition to the pump, and use a flashlight to lure the brine to where the ponies are?? Do you do this?? Do you just turn off light?? How long per feeding??
And last ? for now! I have a compulsion to try and feed variety.Have you found anything else the these little guys might like to eat??
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smartorl
Guest
From my experience, the ponies are great hunters and will spend alot of time prowling or simply hanging out and snicking brine. I never turned my lights out or had to direct the brine to the ponies and they did very well. I did however, have a larger pony to gallon ratio. If I were you and wanted to keep the three gallon, I would look into more ponies. Three gallons of water is a large space for three little guys. Enriched brine are the best food for these guys. Bronco had a great diagram of his setup that I also modeled mine after that was very efficient.
As far as the water changes, let me pull up some of my own logs to make sure as it's been a while. I lived in Florida and kept my pony tank on a porch that wasn't air conditioned. I did move it inside in winter but let the outdoor temps dictate my tank temp. My tanks usually stayed around 75 -78 and my ponies were reproducing so quickly that I had to keep setting up additional tanks to keep up with them.
Can you tell the sexes of them yet?
As far as the water changes, let me pull up some of my own logs to make sure as it's been a while. I lived in Florida and kept my pony tank on a porch that wasn't air conditioned. I did move it inside in winter but let the outdoor temps dictate my tank temp. My tanks usually stayed around 75 -78 and my ponies were reproducing so quickly that I had to keep setting up additional tanks to keep up with them.
Can you tell the sexes of them yet?
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shrimpy brains
Guest
smartorl Thought 75-78 would be too warm for them?? I guess it worked for you though, so I won't worry if the temps rise alittle!
They are so small It's hard to tell if male or female.
Also, I am less worried about them feeding today, as they are more active and swimming all over the tank!! Yesterday, they stayed hitched in one spot. I was under the impression, that they stayed put and waited for the food to come to them.
I am very happy to discover that is not true, and that they swim around a bunch. They are so perfect and tiny. It's absolutely amazing. God made incredible things for us to enjoy!!
dive girl
Member
They are so cute!!!
I've had dwarf seahorses for about a year now. This is my recommendation but if Tom or Dan come in and post, they have a lot more experience.
I normally keep my temps about 70-72F (I use an aquapod that I've converted and with the lights I need to run a chiller). Warmer water can encourage bacteria growth which can lead to health problems. I think especially in a smaller tank you should try for the cooler temperatures.
I think dwarfs should get at least 3 feedings a day. Brine shrimp are messy and without a stable tank, micro and a good clean up crew; water parameters can change quickly. If shrimp aren't eaten, they should be removed, hence the need for another feeding especially with the digestive system that seahorses have. The removed shrimp can be added to a different container to grow out and enriched a little (my reef tank loves when I have brine shrimp for them). You don't want to leave shrimp in there if it is going to foul your tank and you don't want your baby seahorses to waste energy having to search for food. It is a tightrope act and I tend to probably lean toward feeding them more and removing what is not eaten.
I would go with a smaller water change to start with and frequent water testing. When you remove the uneaten brine, change out a little water. Less stress on your horses that way. I used to do about a 10% water change on all my tanks twice a week. My water parameters were great, but I couldn't grow ANY macro. So I cut back on the water changes. I do more frequent water testing and let the macros have some nitrates, it seems to work much better for me and my horses look healthy as do my macros.
I've had dwarf seahorses for about a year now. This is my recommendation but if Tom or Dan come in and post, they have a lot more experience.
I normally keep my temps about 70-72F (I use an aquapod that I've converted and with the lights I need to run a chiller). Warmer water can encourage bacteria growth which can lead to health problems. I think especially in a smaller tank you should try for the cooler temperatures.
I think dwarfs should get at least 3 feedings a day. Brine shrimp are messy and without a stable tank, micro and a good clean up crew; water parameters can change quickly. If shrimp aren't eaten, they should be removed, hence the need for another feeding especially with the digestive system that seahorses have. The removed shrimp can be added to a different container to grow out and enriched a little (my reef tank loves when I have brine shrimp for them). You don't want to leave shrimp in there if it is going to foul your tank and you don't want your baby seahorses to waste energy having to search for food. It is a tightrope act and I tend to probably lean toward feeding them more and removing what is not eaten.
I would go with a smaller water change to start with and frequent water testing. When you remove the uneaten brine, change out a little water. Less stress on your horses that way. I used to do about a 10% water change on all my tanks twice a week. My water parameters were great, but I couldn't grow ANY macro. So I cut back on the water changes. I do more frequent water testing and let the macros have some nitrates, it seems to work much better for me and my horses look healthy as do my macros.
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shrimpy brains
Guest
DG,
Thanks for the info. Was so busy thinking about water quality for ponies, I hadn't thought about the needs of the macros. Very good point.
So, how much flow do you think they can handle?? Maybe they can take more in a larger tank. I thought about hooking up a chiller, but wasn't sure how I would move the water in and out of tank(without blowing the ponies around). I have a 5, 10, and 20g tank sitting empty. Maybe I will play with ideas on these.
As for cuc, I only have 2 small turbo snails. What else can I have?? Nothing right! Actually, I have many bristle worms. Did'nt add these. lol
I have pulled out a couple I thought were a little big. Are they ok with the ponies?? I have some panacur(sp?) but am reluctant to use it.
Thanks for the info. Was so busy thinking about water quality for ponies, I hadn't thought about the needs of the macros. Very good point.
So, how much flow do you think they can handle?? Maybe they can take more in a larger tank. I thought about hooking up a chiller, but wasn't sure how I would move the water in and out of tank(without blowing the ponies around). I have a 5, 10, and 20g tank sitting empty. Maybe I will play with ideas on these.
As for cuc, I only have 2 small turbo snails. What else can I have?? Nothing right! Actually, I have many bristle worms. Did'nt add these. lol
I have pulled out a couple I thought were a little big. Are they ok with the ponies?? I have some panacur(sp?) but am reluctant to use it.
dive girl
Member
I know what you mean about the panacur, once you use it....
Do you might want to just use one of those little clip on fans to bring the temp down. I think that the size of your tank is probably okay for the 3 little ones. If you had more then you could probably put them in a larger tank.
In my seahorse tanks I have quite a bit of flow. I also have some areas where the horses can go to get out of it as well. I have a few little ones that love to play in the flow and the bubbles and will sometimes be rocketed across the tank just to go around and do it again. I like balancing everything.
As far as a CUC you can have I think most any snail. Nassarius and cerith snails are great as well as nerite. You can also put in scarlet hermit crabs (but I would stick with smaller ones) and mysid shrimp! You can also put in some sexy shrimp.
What color are the bristle worms? I think they are supposed to be detritivores but I'm not 100% sure. I recently found some aptasia in my dwarf tank and am in the process of cleaning it out. I'm not sure if I want to dose again with panacur or not. Anyway I took the live rock out and stuck it in the freezer for a day, rinsed it and put it back in the tank (my dwarfs are elsewhere in case there is a spike). I'm going to see if that will take care of anything on the rock. I also took out the macro and put some in from another one of my tanks that doesn't seem to have a problem. I'll let that run for a while and see how that goes.
Do you might want to just use one of those little clip on fans to bring the temp down. I think that the size of your tank is probably okay for the 3 little ones. If you had more then you could probably put them in a larger tank.
In my seahorse tanks I have quite a bit of flow. I also have some areas where the horses can go to get out of it as well. I have a few little ones that love to play in the flow and the bubbles and will sometimes be rocketed across the tank just to go around and do it again. I like balancing everything.
As far as a CUC you can have I think most any snail. Nassarius and cerith snails are great as well as nerite. You can also put in scarlet hermit crabs (but I would stick with smaller ones) and mysid shrimp! You can also put in some sexy shrimp.
What color are the bristle worms? I think they are supposed to be detritivores but I'm not 100% sure. I recently found some aptasia in my dwarf tank and am in the process of cleaning it out. I'm not sure if I want to dose again with panacur or not. Anyway I took the live rock out and stuck it in the freezer for a day, rinsed it and put it back in the tank (my dwarfs are elsewhere in case there is a spike). I'm going to see if that will take care of anything on the rock. I also took out the macro and put some in from another one of my tanks that doesn't seem to have a problem. I'll let that run for a while and see how that goes.
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shrimpy brains
Guest
Thanks for the info about flow. I have my pump turned down to a trickle cause I've been so worried about pushing the little guys around. I think I will turn it up a little and see what happens.
Sexy shrimp would be awesome, but don't they only eat starfish??
And as far as the bristle worms are concerned. They are just the regular ones. I guess I'd call them pink with white bristles. I've been pulling out any that are larger than the ponies. lol
Thank you so much for your time and advice. Amy
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shrimpy brains
Guest
Originally Posted by TeresaQ
http:///forum/post/3150021
ok, I just wrote a long reply and lost it. In a nut shell, I am under the impression that dwarf tanks are supose to be sterile. That everything in the tank is supose to be treated with panacur. That even things like hydroids can kill them
Good morning T! Now I'm a little worried. I don't have hydroids. Just worried about the bristle worms. Maybe I will go ahead and use the panacur!?
http:///forum/post/3150021
ok, I just wrote a long reply and lost it. In a nut shell, I am under the impression that dwarf tanks are supose to be sterile. That everything in the tank is supose to be treated with panacur. That even things like hydroids can kill them
Good morning T! Now I'm a little worried. I don't have hydroids. Just worried about the bristle worms. Maybe I will go ahead and use the panacur!?
S
shrimpy brains
Guest
dive girl
Member
Sexy shrimp aka Thor amboinensis are scavengers.
Dwarf tanks don't have to be sterile, you just want to make sure that you don't have inhabitants that won't kill them.
Panacur does limit what you'll be able to put in that tank. Dosing depends on the type of panacur that you have. Don't use the paste.
If you use the granules the easiest way to dose a tank is to mix a 1 gram packet into 100 ml of water. This will give you 2.22 mg per ml. Dose at 1-2 ml per gallon every other day for 3 days.
If you use the liquid form, use .1 to .2 ml per 10 gallons every other day for 3 days.
Where did you get your sand? From a bag, another tank? If it is your rock that has the bristle worms you might want to remove the rock, put it in the freezer to kill anything on/in it. The dangers of the bristle worms is that if your seahorses chose it to hitch to~ the sting could kill it.
If you do either the freezer or panacur know that you may cause a cycle. The panacur isn't going to kill just bristle worms, it will kill all worms and I think your snails. The only snails that seem to survive panacur are nassarius.
No matter which way you go, you could still get some hydroids in the future, you just have to watch for them and be prepared to act.
You might want to start with freezing the rock, putting it in a small bucket with water and bubbler so that it doesn't cause your 3 gallon to start a new cycle. After you put it back in your tank you could then watch for anything that could harm your ponies. At least that way you wouldn't have to worry about what you couldn't add because of the panacur in the future. If you did get to a point where you needed to you could always dose with the panacur in the future.
Dwarf tanks don't have to be sterile, you just want to make sure that you don't have inhabitants that won't kill them.
Panacur does limit what you'll be able to put in that tank. Dosing depends on the type of panacur that you have. Don't use the paste.
If you use the granules the easiest way to dose a tank is to mix a 1 gram packet into 100 ml of water. This will give you 2.22 mg per ml. Dose at 1-2 ml per gallon every other day for 3 days.
If you use the liquid form, use .1 to .2 ml per 10 gallons every other day for 3 days.
Where did you get your sand? From a bag, another tank? If it is your rock that has the bristle worms you might want to remove the rock, put it in the freezer to kill anything on/in it. The dangers of the bristle worms is that if your seahorses chose it to hitch to~ the sting could kill it.
If you do either the freezer or panacur know that you may cause a cycle. The panacur isn't going to kill just bristle worms, it will kill all worms and I think your snails. The only snails that seem to survive panacur are nassarius.
No matter which way you go, you could still get some hydroids in the future, you just have to watch for them and be prepared to act.
You might want to start with freezing the rock, putting it in a small bucket with water and bubbler so that it doesn't cause your 3 gallon to start a new cycle. After you put it back in your tank you could then watch for anything that could harm your ponies. At least that way you wouldn't have to worry about what you couldn't add because of the panacur in the future. If you did get to a point where you needed to you could always dose with the panacur in the future.
S
shrimpy brains
Guest
Wow, this really stinks!! I really thought I did my homework and had everything set up perfect for these guys!
I keep looking at the 5g, trying to figure out how quick I could cycle it with some base rock and a shrimp. I think I'll call around to see if I can get some of that SuperBac (that Cranberry is always talkin bout) locally!
DG: The sand was from a bag. The live rock I pulled from my reef tank.
Now I wish I hadn't!
Also, I think the panacur was from granules, cause the reefer I got it from said 1 ml per g. I will confirm wiith her on that one.
Thanks for the info on the sexy shrimp. I will look into them again. Guess I was misinformed bout the starfish!?
I keep looking at the 5g, trying to figure out how quick I could cycle it with some base rock and a shrimp. I think I'll call around to see if I can get some of that SuperBac (that Cranberry is always talkin bout) locally!
DG: The sand was from a bag. The live rock I pulled from my reef tank.
Now I wish I hadn't!
Also, I think the panacur was from granules, cause the reefer I got it from said 1 ml per g. I will confirm wiith her on that one.
Thanks for the info on the sexy shrimp. I will look into them again. Guess I was misinformed bout the starfish!?
dive girl
Member
The reefer you got the panacur from, is that where you got your dwarfs? Do they raise them? If they have dwarf seahorses and know about your set up, it is probably better to talk to them about it since they are familiar with the horses and you.
I don't know but those 3 little ponies might get lost in a 5g and have a hard time getting all the food they need.
I don't know but those 3 little ponies might get lost in a 5g and have a hard time getting all the food they need.
S
shrimpy brains
Guest
Originally Posted by Dive Girl
http:///forum/post/3150407
The reefer you got the panacur from, is that where you got your dwarfs? Do they raise them? If they have dwarf seahorses and know about your set up, it is probably better to talk to them about it since they are familiar with the horses and you.
I don't know but those 3 little ponies might get lost in a 5g and have a hard time getting all the food they need.
Yes, I talked to her tonite, twice. She had the panacur cause she had gotten hydroids in her pony tank. (which she made sure was cured before she'd bring me the ponies) She gave me some cause had hydroids in my clown baby tank. ( I did'nt use it though as I decided to go ahead and move them to growout tank. )
She agrees the 5g is too big for the little ones and suggest I try your idea of freezing the rock.
Well, no decisions will be made till tomorrow. Worked all day and it's too late tonite!!
http:///forum/post/3150407
The reefer you got the panacur from, is that where you got your dwarfs? Do they raise them? If they have dwarf seahorses and know about your set up, it is probably better to talk to them about it since they are familiar with the horses and you.
I don't know but those 3 little ponies might get lost in a 5g and have a hard time getting all the food they need.
She agrees the 5g is too big for the little ones and suggest I try your idea of freezing the rock.
Well, no decisions will be made till tomorrow. Worked all day and it's too late tonite!!
R
roxannej
Guest
Originally Posted by Shrimpy Brains
http:///forum/post/3150539
Yes, I talked to her tonite, twice. She had the panacur cause she had gotten hydroids in her pony tank. (which she made sure was cured before she'd bring me the ponies) She gave me some cause had hydroids in my clown baby tank. ( I did'nt use it though as I decided to go ahead and move them to growout tank. )
She agrees the 5g is too big for the little ones and suggest I try your idea of freezing the rock.
Well, no decisions will be made till tomorrow. Worked all day and it's too late tonite!!
Noooooooo, now wait......what I agreed with is that the bristleworms need to be dealt with, but I am very concerned that you have added a bioload to that tank with the babies in there, plus all the food now going in.
I'm concerned that your biological filtration has not caught up to the new inhabitants and then you plan to remove most of it, kill off the bad guys, and then put it back in.
I'm not sure that's a viable plan. I think you need to take this much slower.
I think your only option right now is to have a pair of tweezers handy and remove any bristleworms you see.
In a 3 gallon tank, your conditions can go very bad, very fast. With those babies in there, you have no wiggle room.
http:///forum/post/3150539
She agrees the 5g is too big for the little ones and suggest I try your idea of freezing the rock.
Well, no decisions will be made till tomorrow. Worked all day and it's too late tonite!!
Noooooooo, now wait......what I agreed with is that the bristleworms need to be dealt with, but I am very concerned that you have added a bioload to that tank with the babies in there, plus all the food now going in.
I'm concerned that your biological filtration has not caught up to the new inhabitants and then you plan to remove most of it, kill off the bad guys, and then put it back in.
I'm not sure that's a viable plan. I think you need to take this much slower.
I think your only option right now is to have a pair of tweezers handy and remove any bristleworms you see.
In a 3 gallon tank, your conditions can go very bad, very fast. With those babies in there, you have no wiggle room.