Seahorse Care

[amethyst]

Hello everyone,
I am starting a salt water aquarium so far, I chose 2 False Perculas, a cleaner shrimp, a serpent star fish, a maxima first grade clam and a few corals. I really want to add in sea horses and I was looking at taking care of them videos and they say put something in to hang on to since they are weak swimmers. I was wondering for a beginning tank what would be good to put in that's easy for me to maintain and the sea horse to hang on to. I know seahorses are allot of work and I have been studying around the clock, just wanted to know if I needed one. Thanks!

 

[meowzer]

You need to look at the compatibility chart.....seahorses are tank specific....2 clowns will not be a good idea,

 

[smartorl]

I would say no. Seahorses need alot of care and careful observation for signs of illness.
Seahorse tanks are specialized, if you do a quick search of this forum you will see many seahorse tank builds. Not only do they need quieter currents, but filters that they can't be hurt on. They are a messy addition so it's a fine line between providing the quiet environment with softer flow and keeping the water parameters in line.
Seahorses should really be the primary addition and then decide what critters you can add to the tank to balance the ecosystem.
Your clowns would out compete them for food.
Not trying to rain on your hopes of having seahorses, just pointing out that they are alot of work and really should be the first thought and not as an addition as in most cases, existing fish and inverts would be dangerous to them.

 

[teresaq]

hi, and welcome. first read the three posts at the top of this forum. That will give you some info.
All the things you have listed are not compatible with horses. clowns get too aggressive as they age, cleaner shrimp will stress the horses, Clams can close on them because they are slow moving, serpent stars are fish eaters and attack while fish sleep.
Horses are a species only fish, There are a few fish, and corals that can be kept with them, but tanks should be set up with the horses in mind first.
They are slow swimming, but not weak by any means, They do like some flow, but also need a low flow area to rest when they want. They also need a cooler tank - below 77 degrees
If this is your first salt water tank, I would say set it up without horses, get experience then set up a 29 gal or larger just for horses.

 

[teresaq]

dont get me wrong, I am more then happy to help you set up a horse tank, but if havent kept saltwater before, they arent advised as a starting fish.

 

[novahobbies]

I'm glad you pointed out the clam, T...I was about to. Heck, we've seen pictures where a clam closed on a blue tang......a seahorse tail would have no chance.
I completely understand your desire to start with seahorses. It's possible for a beginner saltwater hobbyist to start with seahorses, but not really recommended. If you do, there are a couple things I'd definitely suggest:
1) Start slow. Don't rush this decision. Seahorse tanks need to cycle a little longer than other tanks, IMO. You're going to be looking at a tank with just water and live rock for at least 6 weeks....longer if you use base rock instead of live rock for your tank.
2) Find some caulerpa. Rather than getting over your head with corals in a beginner tank, just use some of the macroalgaes available online as hitching posts. I have seen some stunning tanks online here that are decorated with nothing more than live rock and caulerpa algae. Caulerpa has a tendency to grow wild, but it can be easily trimmed and it has the added benefits of helping to remove nitrate.
3) Make your aquarium a species-only tank. You may consider adding a fish or two down the road, but if you MUST start your saltwater hobby adventure with seahorses......stick to the horses alone. You and your horses will be happier for it in the long run.
4) And probably most important -- RESEARCH. Read through the sticky threads here. Go to the .org site (as in seahorse dot....) and register/read up in there. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Naturally, any tank you decide to set up for seahorses absolutely must have pics posted on this site along the way. Have fun!

 

[amethyst]

Okay! Thanks, I think I might wait on the seahorse and master the clam, perculas, and the shrimp! Thanks everyone!