Seahorse tank pics please.
- Thread starter aredmon
- Start date
J
jcrim
Guest
Mine's a nano and my dwarfs just arrived today.
These things are so freakin small but they are cool. I now see why it is recommended to keep 2-3 dwarfs per gallon.
meekel454
Member
sorry i don't have any pics but my tank is simmilar to the first post as far as live rock goes.
i just un thaw a cube of enriched brine shrimpor mysis shrimp and pour it in the tank 2-3 times a day the seahorse is the only fish creature i have that will go after it. most gets eaten some gets sucked in the filter. it's a 29g tank 35 lbs of live rock 40 lbs live sand if that helps any
i just un thaw a cube of enriched brine shrimpor mysis shrimp and pour it in the tank 2-3 times a day the seahorse is the only fish creature i have that will go after it. most gets eaten some gets sucked in the filter. it's a 29g tank 35 lbs of live rock 40 lbs live sand if that helps any
J
jdragunas
Guest
sorry burnt jamaican, but i don't have pics.
I have a few fake corals (acropora mostly), and lava rock as my landscape. I don't have much rock, but i seeded the lava rock with LR from my 55 gallon FOWLR tank. I love my seahorses, they're the sunshine in my life (besides my other fish and of course the hubby...). They have their own quaint little personalities, and they're fun to watch.
Go to www.seahorse.org and read everything you can.
I have a feeding station that resembles something like the pic shown below.
Make sure you realize keeping a seahorse tank can be pretty time-consuming. I feed mine frozen mysis with garlic extreme additive (for their immune system), and a vitamin supplement. Seahorses have very simple stomaches, so they don't absorb all of the nutrients from what they eat. That's why i like adding supplements, so i know they're getting enough!!!
I have a few fake corals (acropora mostly), and lava rock as my landscape. I don't have much rock, but i seeded the lava rock with LR from my 55 gallon FOWLR tank. I love my seahorses, they're the sunshine in my life (besides my other fish and of course the hubby...). They have their own quaint little personalities, and they're fun to watch.
Go to www.seahorse.org and read everything you can.
I have a feeding station that resembles something like the pic shown below.
Make sure you realize keeping a seahorse tank can be pretty time-consuming. I feed mine frozen mysis with garlic extreme additive (for their immune system), and a vitamin supplement. Seahorses have very simple stomaches, so they don't absorb all of the nutrients from what they eat. That's why i like adding supplements, so i know they're getting enough!!!
aredmon
Member
When I got into saltwater I wanted seahorse. When I realized how sensitive they are and are suposed to be in a species only tank I wanted to use my 75gal for many fish so I figured to go for the fish first and maybe down the road some seahorse. Well I found a realy good deal on the tank I just got. Equiped with everything I need to start with stand for $100 I went for it. I have read everything there is to read on seahorse.org and other seahorse web pages that I won't mention because they sell livestock. I fell that I could do it. Plus I finaly got my hubby into it and he has been doing alot to care for the 75 so it frees up more time for ponies. :jumping:
J
jdragunas
Guest
plastic plants are great. You can also use caulerpa in the tank as a hitching post, as this is a macroalgae that attaches to the rock.
as long as you know what you're getting into, go for it!!! It's so rewarding!
bottom-dwelling tank mates are fine, and if you have a feeding station, it's even better. I plan on adding a firefish to my tank in a little while.
as long as you know what you're getting into, go for it!!! It's so rewarding!
bottom-dwelling tank mates are fine, and if you have a feeding station, it's even better. I plan on adding a firefish to my tank in a little while.
aredmon
Member
I just want to stick with the horse right now just to make sure all my attention is on them. I would also like to know what would be a good clean up crew and how many. I know they are messy eaters and leave alot behind. I have a turbo in there that I added yesterday. What else would be safe plus eat up the leftover food??
J
jdragunas
Guest
most fish are competitive for food, but it is weird that he doesn't hide. they're named dartfish because they dart back into their hiding place when they feel threatened. Maybe he's just really comfortable with you.
As for the non-aggressive eater thing, here's my opinion... I think that only applies when you feed the fish by just dumping the food in... However, if you have a feeding station for the seahorses, you can probably have any other tankmate (as long as they're not aggressive at all). I read about a great idea for a feeding station on another website. here it is: you take a clear petri dish, and put it on the bottom of the tank. You put a little sand in it, so the sides of the dish still stick up, but the sand will weigh it down. This becomes your feeding station. That way, you just put the mysis inside of the dish, and the food will stay in place while the ponies eat. When the ponies are all done, you can just suck up the uneaten food with a turkey baster. That way, you're not overfeeding, and the food isn't getting blown away before the ponies get it. It's also clear, so it's barely visible. I'm actually thinking about doing this, because my feeding station doens't work that well, food still goes all around the tank.
as for a cleanup crew, you can add just about anything. I wouldn't add any kinds of star... brittles have eaten slow swimming fish, cc stars will eat anything it can get ahold of (so i've heard), and other stars don't do well in that size tank.
i wouldn't get turbo or astrea snails, unless you can easily access everywhere in your tank. the reason i say this is because these types of snail can't un-flip themselves if they land upside-down. This can cause water quality problems. You can add hermits, nassarius snails, cleaner shrimp, fire shrimp, and peppermint shrimp. I think those are your best bet. (don't add margarita snails, because they require colder water). you can also add some sort of crab that has rounded/blunt claws. The best is a porcelain crab. They are really kinda filter feaders that sift through the sand for little pieces of stuff to eat. They have rounded claws and are incredibly peaceful... Make sure you don't get any kind of crab that is territorial (such as emerald or sally lightfoots), or any crab that has sharp pointed claws.
Also, make sure you research the kind of seahorse you want. Some require cold water. The best beginner ponies are h. erectus and h. reidi.
As for the non-aggressive eater thing, here's my opinion... I think that only applies when you feed the fish by just dumping the food in... However, if you have a feeding station for the seahorses, you can probably have any other tankmate (as long as they're not aggressive at all). I read about a great idea for a feeding station on another website. here it is: you take a clear petri dish, and put it on the bottom of the tank. You put a little sand in it, so the sides of the dish still stick up, but the sand will weigh it down. This becomes your feeding station. That way, you just put the mysis inside of the dish, and the food will stay in place while the ponies eat. When the ponies are all done, you can just suck up the uneaten food with a turkey baster. That way, you're not overfeeding, and the food isn't getting blown away before the ponies get it. It's also clear, so it's barely visible. I'm actually thinking about doing this, because my feeding station doens't work that well, food still goes all around the tank.
as for a cleanup crew, you can add just about anything. I wouldn't add any kinds of star... brittles have eaten slow swimming fish, cc stars will eat anything it can get ahold of (so i've heard), and other stars don't do well in that size tank.
i wouldn't get turbo or astrea snails, unless you can easily access everywhere in your tank. the reason i say this is because these types of snail can't un-flip themselves if they land upside-down. This can cause water quality problems. You can add hermits, nassarius snails, cleaner shrimp, fire shrimp, and peppermint shrimp. I think those are your best bet. (don't add margarita snails, because they require colder water). you can also add some sort of crab that has rounded/blunt claws. The best is a porcelain crab. They are really kinda filter feaders that sift through the sand for little pieces of stuff to eat. They have rounded claws and are incredibly peaceful... Make sure you don't get any kind of crab that is territorial (such as emerald or sally lightfoots), or any crab that has sharp pointed claws.
Also, make sure you research the kind of seahorse you want. Some require cold water. The best beginner ponies are h. erectus and h. reidi.
J
jdragunas
Guest
The Porcelain Crab is common throughout the tropical oceans of the world, and has a flat, round body with two large front claws. They are brown and orange in coloration with bright blue spots. These crabs have a pair of front arms called maxillipeds, which have ends that are feather-like in appearance. They use these appendages to filter the water for any passing food. They are peaceful and interesting invertebrates for the marine aquarium.
Porcelain Crabs live together in pairs typically found within or under rocks in nature. The ideal aquarium will contain plenty of live rock for both hiding and feeding, and will not contain any fish or invertebrates that may bring harm to these peaceful invertebrates. They are reef safe, and will not harm other invertebrates or corals.
The Porcelain Crab constantly filters the water for planktonic food, but will also scavenge for larger meaty portions. Offer the crab small bits of fish, shrimp or meaty food, as well as foods designed for filter feeders.
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 1"
Color Form: Bright Blue, Brown, Orange
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Porcellanidae
Porcelain Crabs live together in pairs typically found within or under rocks in nature. The ideal aquarium will contain plenty of live rock for both hiding and feeding, and will not contain any fish or invertebrates that may bring harm to these peaceful invertebrates. They are reef safe, and will not harm other invertebrates or corals.
The Porcelain Crab constantly filters the water for planktonic food, but will also scavenge for larger meaty portions. Offer the crab small bits of fish, shrimp or meaty food, as well as foods designed for filter feeders.
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 1"
Color Form: Bright Blue, Brown, Orange
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Porcellanidae
aredmon
Member
I am not for sure what the name of the seahorse is but at my fish store I found one that I like. It has kind of a softer look to it not spiney (I guess you can call it that) They are a dark purple color right now so I am wanting to set my tank up to alow them to stay that color. I asked some questions about them. They are CB, feed on frozen mysis. They have been there for a few months and look very healthy. I love this fish store but I drive a 1 1/2 hrs. to get there. But the prices are right and the fish are quality.
J
jdragunas
Guest
try and find out what species they are. I'd hate for you to have your tank setup and find out it's wrong for that seahorse... that'd be an expensive lesson!
J
jdragunas
Guest
i definately want 2 of them for my tank. I love crabs but am always so afraid to get them ...
corally
Active Member
Has anyone had any luck buying seahorses on line? I would love to get a couple eventually but I have never seen any at lfs. In fact, I've never seen any in person except at the zoo/aquarium. They seem so fragile though I'd be worried getting them thru the mail. Also, we go camping for 2-3 days at a time frequently in the summer. I know they have to be fed several times a day, so is their any kind of food you could put in an automatic for them?
darth tang
Active Member
Originally Posted by corally
I know they have to be fed several times a day, so is their any kind of food you could put in an automatic for them?
No.
I know they have to be fed several times a day, so is their any kind of food you could put in an automatic for them?
No.
J
jcrim
Guest
Originally Posted by corally
Has anyone had any luck buying seahorses on line?
Yes, I just got my dwarfs online from a great breeder. If you post your email, I'll give you some info...
BTW, my dwarf found an interesting place to cling.
Has anyone had any luck buying seahorses on line?
Yes, I just got my dwarfs online from a great breeder. If you post your email, I'll give you some info...
BTW, my dwarf found an interesting place to cling.