Seahorse CUC

bettachris4

Member
Im in the early stages of planning a seahorse tank, nothing special maybe kellogi or dwarf seahorses, but what is the recommendations about the CUC.
Can you keep hermit crabs with seahorses or will the crabs prehaps be too aggressive for the horses? Also shrimps like peppermint shrimps.
 

teresaq

Active Member
Hi and welcome. as far as hermits, most dont keep them as they have been noted to pinch a tail now and then. I do keep a couple of very small blue legs and a scarlotte. I have been slowly removing the blue legs as they get bigger.
most keep pepperment shrimp with thier horses, just remember shrimp are a natural food for horses.
As far as species of horses, please stay away from kellogii. They are usually pen raised and do not last long. Please stay with captive bred horses.
Erectus or Reidi.
Dwarfs are also fun, but remember they need live newly hatched brine shrimp everyday
T
 

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Most species of snails are also perfectly safe for SH setups. Nassarius snails do a fine job of keeping food from rotting on the sand bed, and fighting conchs are a good addition as well. Both species "stir" the sand, and fighting conchs also are known to munch on diatom and some forms of cyano. Turban snails, atlantic grazers, and turbo snails are also fine for a SH tank.
Teresa is spot on regarding the hermit crabs. I've never been afraid to keep the little blue-leg hermits in my seahorse tank, but I wouldn't suggest anything larger. Most of the other sp. of hermits might be too nippy for your purposes. Emerald crabs, IMHO, are a definite no-no. Most starfish are acceptable with seahorses, but each star species has its own delicate requirements, and may not be compatible due to tank size and/or tank temperature. So-called "sand sifter" seastars aren't very good for ANY aquarium less than 200g (and even then I'd hesitate) because they have been known to eat the sandbed bare of all the beneficial bugs, etc. Peppermint shrimp are great for general scavenging and aptasia control, but you'll have to look for a larger specimen. And remember, not all peppermint shrimp eat aptasia!
Honestly, I think the best CUC in most Seahorse tanks is the tank's owner. Snails and the occasional hermit and/or shrimp crew help to some degree, but diligent maintenance and weekly water changes really go a long way to keeping a SH tank in good working order.
 

bettachris4

Member
Ok thanks for the input. I didnt know this about kellogi's.
The plan was for hermit crabs, i didnt know if they like you guys metioned posed a threat like emeralds etc...
Im actually probably going to change the idea to a pair of clowns and anemone combo but the idea of seahorses was fun. Thanks for the info guys.
 
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