seahorse question

[milo]

i have just started a 30 gallon tank and would like to keep seahorses. can i keep community fish also in this tank, and do seahorses only eat live foods?

 

[damsel]

i have always heard that seahorses are not a good idea for the beginner. if you do choose to have them, i read to feed them live brine shrimp. you can "squirt" the brine shrimp near them with a sterile turkey baster.

 

[kris]

It was my understanding that seahorses (while awfully cool) are very fragile creatures who do best in species set-up (a tank with only seahorses) They need perfect water which will be difficult in a tank so small especially for a beginner (no offense).
I've never been brave enough to try them. Good Luck.

 

[sixth man]

agreed, it will be tough to keep seahorses in anything but a species only tank because it will be difficult for them to get the food when the other fish easily finish it off first. be sure not to keep powerheads in the tank as it again will be too difficult for the seahorses to capture the food. live brine is the way to go as these slow moving creatures will allow the seahorses time to capture them.

 

[harris]

I have heard the same, very fragile on water conditions and should be in a species only tank. A 30 gallon would be no picnic to maintain top quality water conditions, unless you are truly devoted.

 

[javajoe]

Seahorses are difficult to keep, like others have said, but can be kept in a reef with caution. I have had seahorses and had minor issues, but overall it as been a good experience.
Tank size is not realy important, however how TALL is your 30 gallon? They need at LEAST 21 deep inches of water-- if your tank is less than that (from top of substrate to top of water) then you really should not attempt. Also, if you are new to the hobby, i recomend that you wait a while, do tons of research. check out seahorse.org - lots of good info there, and they have forums as well.

 

[itchy]

Well I just got the nerve up to move to Seahorses. I have had SW tanks for about 7 yrs now. My SH are a joy to have but are a lot of work. First let me stress to buy captive breed horses as they are already eating frozen brine and mysis shrimp. Next the height of your tank is more important than the size. Some people recommend larger tanks but it is your choice. With a larger tank you will diffently have to target feed as they are not big hunters. I have 1 out of 5 horses that will chase anything down and eat it. 3 of my 5 are Wild caught and were a pain to get to eat. Please go to www.searhorse.org and do some research there is also a board you can post on and ask questions like this one.
The 30 gallon will be fine for the horses.....but depending on the height of the tank is to how well they will do.

 

[radioactive]

I have been interested in a seahorse tank also . I was looking at a 25 gallon Eclipse with a bio-wheel and plenty of LR. I am only going to have seahorses in this tank . My question is about lighting . How much do they need and how much LR should I put in a 25 gallon Eclipse ? Thanks

 

[danrw84]

dont get the eclipse. Its more expensive anyhow. The bio wheel is what your live rock is supposed to do,
you cant get a skimmer in the eclipse anyway...
if you want something that looks real nice...
get a 29 for about 40 bucks,... a hang on filter..a canopy if you can afford it, and a stand (my tank wouldnt be as nice if it didnt have the black stand that it sits in, and the canopy.
i was going to start an eclipse but luckly decided against it, and i am much happier with what i got, IMO
im also considering getting a little black seahorse at a lfs for about 20 bucks. tank raised... i want to give one a shot. i'll keep you guys posted if i pick one up on wednesday.
still reading up.

 

[itchy]

Seahorses are not picky as to the lighting they have. As for the eclipse system I have heard nothing good about them. I personally have never used one. Do a search on eclipse and I am sure you will find tons of info on it. I bought a 20 gal hex with a peguin mini and a power sweep ph...I turned the Ph on as low as it would go and adjusted it towards to side of the tank to be sure not to cause any bubbles. I have about 2 inches of LS and about 15 lbs of LR with fake plants and corals. The Sh love the current from the PH as they play in it and it also helps move the food around and the ones that were hard to feed now think the food is alive and will feed on it. I have no room for a protein skimmer on the back of my tank so I am in the process of adding to my clean up crew. Snails, scarlet and blue leg crabs are all good tank mates for help with the left overs.

 

[steve40]

I HAVE HEARD THAT THEY ARE HARD TO KEEP, BUT EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE PERFECT LEVELS FOR THEM THEY HAVE A VERY SHORT LIFE-SPAN ANYWAY SO.....
I WOULDNT GO WITH THEM

 

[radioactive]

Thanks for the reply . I was actually going to set the tank up for my daughter as I am in the middle of cycling my 75 G S/W Tank . I think she would enjoy watching the seahorses . I will continue to look for tanks and thanks for the advise on the Eclipse . Here is a pic of my tank being cycled right now ...... Again , thanks for the advise and let me know how things are going with your seahorses ,,,,

 

[killyah]

radioactive where did you get a cool looking tank like that from? that looks sweet!!! and yes if your ganna get a seahorse get the tank raised one's. there easyer to care for because they eat frozen brine , mysis shrimp and captive bred seahorse are usually much more robust and disease resistant then wild caught horses.
here is a pic of my 5 captive bred Barbouri seahorses.....

 

[laneki]

i have had my seahorse for 2 1/ years now and he has grown quite large. he is a great feeder; he accepts brine shrimp and hunts for copeopods in the rocks all day long. i have two perculas (mates), two mandarin gobies (mates), golden-headed sleeper goby, one cleaner shrimp and one peppermint shrimp. i started him in a 55g. and changed my set-up to a
72g. bow front, which didn't seem to matter to him!
make sure if you buy a seahorse that it is healthy and preferrably eating brine shrimp. good luck!