Seahorse in a reef?

javajoe

javajoe

Member
I probably shouldn't even ask this, cause I know better, but can I keep a seahorse in a reeftank?
I saw one at my LFS and he was SO cool! It's red with orange spots, and about 6-7 inches long.
I do not know what kind it is- they were pretty busy so i did not get a chance to ask them about it.
 
volitan

volitan

Member
They're reef safe as far as I know. THe only problem with them is that they are so slow. You can't put them into a a tank with any kind of fish that eats in a semi-aggressive manner, because the seahorse will starve to death. I heard the go great with boxfish and cowfish, but other than that and corals, I really don't know what else you could have them with. HTH
 
tyrfing

tyrfing

Member
I concur with the observations about placing them with aggressive eaters. The other consideration is whether or not they have something to hold on to. In the wild, seahorses usually wrap their tails around seaweed or other flora so they can stay somewhat stationary (you can tell from their anatomy that they aren't built for efficient swimming). With power heads and concentrated current in a small tank, these guys can get bumped around a lot. So...
1. Make sure they aren't with aggressive eaters.
2. You may want to reduce your power head output so they don't get tossed around.
3. Be certain they have something to grab onto with their tail.
 
thewolfman777

thewolfman777

Member
i have never owned a sea horse but have read that they do not do well in captivity. i don't know if this is true or not but have read it several times. anyone have any good luck w/ sea horses???
 
S

sandy

Guest
Could one section off a small part of the tank, build a lagoon and have a seahorse or two there?
 
S

sinner's girl

Guest
seahorse.org has lots of good info. it'll tell you how and what to feed them and lots of other info.
 
javajoe

javajoe

Member
Thanks for all the info- turns out that the LFS sold it allready :(
I just got off the phone with my wife though, and she thinks that since our 1 year wedding anniviersary is Saturday, (and my birthday, hers is march 6) That it would be a really romantic gift if we got a bunch of corals, and some more live rock-- seeing that we went to Clearwater Beach Florida for our honeymoon.....
Did i ever mention how much i love my wife? :D
 
javajoe

javajoe

Member
I sure am! And not just 'cause she is into the reef hobby- She is my best friend in the whole world, and I love her to death! I could not have found a better woman to spend my life with....
I'll stop now before i make everyone sick :D
 
S

sandy

Guest
lol. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary/Birthday. Any responses on my question about sectioning off a portion of the tank, building a lagoon and adding one or two seahorses?
 
S

starfishjackedme

Guest
Sandy-
I have been thinking of the exact same thing. I have a 55gal sump under my 200 gal that I want to turn into a seahorse tank. It has relatively slow current and is FULL of pods and the like.
Anyone had success with such a setup? I really want to do it right, and I don't want to waste any life bc of a hasty decision.
Jim
 
demodan

demodan

Member
Oceanrider.com sells captive bread seahorses that do well in an aquarium. They don't bother my coral, but I have only them, no fish. The web site recommends mysis shrimp, but mine eat live brine that I enrich. I feed with a long glass tube.
 
S

starfishjackedme

Guest
Thanks, keep it coming! How often do you feed, and what is the lifespan like?
 
trigger16

trigger16

Member
They would be excellent.
Do not keep with agressive or fast fishes. True reef set ups would be ideal. There are various slow feeders you can add.
Also water flow cannot be very high. Also becareful with stiging corals that can hurt them. Give them plenty of attaching surfaces.
Buy captive bred as sugesstive in earlier posts. Much better or you and the oceans.
 
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