The Cause of Our Seahorses Dieing
- Thread starter rykna
- Start date
veronicad
Member
Ok, someone mentioned trying to keep enough pods to stay ahead of the horses. I don't know that much (anything) about keeping pods, but, if you had enough porous rock (even little pieces with lots of holes) and arranged it so there were a lot of nooks and crannys that the horses couldn't get into (admittedly a challenge with tiny dwarves) AND IF you started your pod population before your horses were added... Couldn't they hide and thrive and maybe at least keep up with what the horses were able to snick? Perhaps with possible periodic additions on our part?
Second, I think it was mentioned about 'putting some carbon into a media bag'...Could you please explain this in more detail? I'm trying to get a mental picture of what that means...
Sorry if this is a silly Q, I just don't have any experience.
Thanks all!!
Second, I think it was mentioned about 'putting some carbon into a media bag'...Could you please explain this in more detail? I'm trying to get a mental picture of what that means...
Sorry if this is a silly Q, I just don't have any experience.
Thanks all!!
koi lady
Member
Originally Posted by veronicad
http:///forum/post/2506617
Second, I think it was mentioned about 'putting some carbon into a media bag'...Could you please explain this in more detail? I'm trying to get a mental picture of what that means...
Sorry if this is a silly Q, I just don't have any experience.
Thanks all!!
Media bags can be bought at a LFS. They are just extremely fine mesh cloth bags that have a string attached to the open end. You fill them up with carbon or Phosguard, or other media, tie the string around the end to close it, rinse it and then put it into your filter system. That way it keeps the little pieces of the media from going all over. Easy to go in and easy to get out when it needs to be changed. Reusable also.
http:///forum/post/2506617
Second, I think it was mentioned about 'putting some carbon into a media bag'...Could you please explain this in more detail? I'm trying to get a mental picture of what that means...
Sorry if this is a silly Q, I just don't have any experience.
Thanks all!!
Media bags can be bought at a LFS. They are just extremely fine mesh cloth bags that have a string attached to the open end. You fill them up with carbon or Phosguard, or other media, tie the string around the end to close it, rinse it and then put it into your filter system. That way it keeps the little pieces of the media from going all over. Easy to go in and easy to get out when it needs to be changed. Reusable also.
veronicad
Member
Thank you for the explanation!!
I've been researching the pod issue as well, and I think when the time comes I'm going to try to establish a large pod community before I add ponies. Right now I'm trying to track down where to buy a starter culture of the best pods for Dwarf seahorses, since that's what I plan to try and raise.
I've been researching the pod issue as well, and I think when the time comes I'm going to try to establish a large pod community before I add ponies. Right now I'm trying to track down where to buy a starter culture of the best pods for Dwarf seahorses, since that's what I plan to try and raise.
suzy
Member
OK, I'm back. I must tell you guys, I didn't want to post here anymore because someone complained to a mod that I linked to some of my articles and my website. After I spent all that time here writing vital info!
Now, that I know you guys get upset, I won't do it anymore.That being said, I won't waste my time writing something I already wrote!
That being said, your question about pods for H zosterae has already been answered. I have actually found a cool way to grow copepods in a bucket. No airline, no light, no heater.
I also found that in my experience with this species, amphopods are detrimental. They can actually catch fry and eat them.
Now, that I know you guys get upset, I won't do it anymore.That being said, I won't waste my time writing something I already wrote!
That being said, your question about pods for H zosterae has already been answered. I have actually found a cool way to grow copepods in a bucket. No airline, no light, no heater.
I also found that in my experience with this species, amphopods are detrimental. They can actually catch fry and eat them.
suzy
Member
They said someone on the Seahorse forum complained!
It seems weird that a site that wants us to have successful tanks (because then we buy a lot more stuff!) would not allow links to personal websites? I have never sold anything in my life (from my hobby, I guess), and I never will. I think it is a jinx!
It seems weird that a site that wants us to have successful tanks (because then we buy a lot more stuff!) would not allow links to personal websites? I have never sold anything in my life (from my hobby, I guess), and I never will. I think it is a jinx!
veronicad
Member
Hey, Suzy
If you can't post it here, could you please PM me about copepods? I really appreciate all the help I can get. Sorry you had a bad experience here. I think everyone's intentions are good even if the resulting actions are a little hard to understand (the reasoning behind)
Thank you again, and I'm glad you're back here.
If you can't post it here, could you please PM me about copepods? I really appreciate all the help I can get. Sorry you had a bad experience here. I think everyone's intentions are good even if the resulting actions are a little hard to understand (the reasoning behind)
Thank you again, and I'm glad you're back here.
suzy
Member
That is so sweet, but I can't even PM!
I can you here, maybe! The article itself is just a live food primer, with a blip about copepods. Here is a short summary!
There is a species of copepods, Tigriopus californiicus that is available to hobbyists, under a cutesy trade name Tiggerpods. This species will literally grow in a toilet, IMO! I add them to a bucket of new SW (not used tank water because that water has other species) and add just enough phyto paste to tint the water a bit green. Once in a while I add a bit off top off water, but I do forget. Last I checked the salinity was around 50 ppm! You must be patient at first, because the larvae are very tiny, but after a few weeks the culture is going gangbusters! I actually have 4 because I need a lot of them for full sized horse fry. I would suggest you have at least two in case one stops reproducing for whatever reason.
There is another species available to us:Artacia tonsa. They are much smaller, small enough for even the tiniest fry to eat. But, IME, they are finicky. Mine always get contaminated with another species, no matter how careful I am. Dang it!
The Tigger something species will be too big for dwarf fry, but they will make the parents really strong and colorful.
I can you here, maybe! The article itself is just a live food primer, with a blip about copepods. Here is a short summary!
There is a species of copepods, Tigriopus californiicus that is available to hobbyists, under a cutesy trade name Tiggerpods. This species will literally grow in a toilet, IMO! I add them to a bucket of new SW (not used tank water because that water has other species) and add just enough phyto paste to tint the water a bit green. Once in a while I add a bit off top off water, but I do forget. Last I checked the salinity was around 50 ppm! You must be patient at first, because the larvae are very tiny, but after a few weeks the culture is going gangbusters! I actually have 4 because I need a lot of them for full sized horse fry. I would suggest you have at least two in case one stops reproducing for whatever reason.
There is another species available to us:Artacia tonsa. They are much smaller, small enough for even the tiniest fry to eat. But, IME, they are finicky. Mine always get contaminated with another species, no matter how careful I am. Dang it!
The Tigger something species will be too big for dwarf fry, but they will make the parents really strong and colorful.
veronicad
Member
Thanks!!
So, then you just scoop some out of the bucket periodically and dump them into the main tank? Any acclimation I need to be aware of? I'm mainly interested in supplementing the adults, cuz I know I'll need to hatch bbs for the fry. Is there a way to see when you need to add more to the tank(they're really tiny, aren't they?) or do you just do it every x number of days? Thanks again for your help.
So, then you just scoop some out of the bucket periodically and dump them into the main tank? Any acclimation I need to be aware of? I'm mainly interested in supplementing the adults, cuz I know I'll need to hatch bbs for the fry. Is there a way to see when you need to add more to the tank(they're really tiny, aren't they?) or do you just do it every x number of days? Thanks again for your help.
suzy
Member
I have a micron mesh sieve I use, but you can use a coffee filter to filter out the water they are growing in. They do produce a lot of waste you don't want in your tank. You don't need to worry about acclimating them, they will be consumed pronto. Plus, they are very hardy.
It is kinda just trial and error to see how many to add. You can't add too many, because they will just hang out, staying incredibly nutritious till some one snicks em. But, you don't want to deplete your culture too fast. I find my herd will always want more no matter how many cultures I have growing!
I do add some to my tiniest fry nurseries, because there will be larvae of the adult copepods in the mix. But, there are never enough....
It is kinda just trial and error to see how many to add. You can't add too many, because they will just hang out, staying incredibly nutritious till some one snicks em. But, you don't want to deplete your culture too fast. I find my herd will always want more no matter how many cultures I have growing!
I do add some to my tiniest fry nurseries, because there will be larvae of the adult copepods in the mix. But, there are never enough....
veronicad
Member
Since I'm just starting out, would it be worth it to try to get a nice sized colony going right in the main tank in advance of the ponies arrival? Or do they make too much of a mess of the tank? I thought they helped clean the tank? Perhaps I'm confusing with something else...
Thanks again for all your insights! I'll keep you (all) posted as to my progress toward finally get a pony setup!
Thanks again for all your insights! I'll keep you (all) posted as to my progress toward finally get a pony setup!
suzy
Member
Growing them in the main tank would be great! Then, when your fishes come to you incredibly hungry and weak, they can pig out! The pods will need to be fed, though if you are starting a new tank. They do love to grow and reproduce eating fish waste but fish eat them so it's a vicious life for copepods....
But, do start a separate culture of them. In a mason jar, or a plastic tupperware bowl or whatever. One of my girlfriends (she's breeds clownfish) swears they grow better in plastic containers but I dunno. I think they will grow anywhere.
But, do start a separate culture of them. In a mason jar, or a plastic tupperware bowl or whatever. One of my girlfriends (she's breeds clownfish) swears they grow better in plastic containers but I dunno. I think they will grow anywhere.
poniegirl
Active Member
A word of caution; nature apparently did not intend for the seahorse (any species of seahorse) to have the opportunity to gorge. It is evidenced in their very natural habitat and anatomy.
An overfed seahorse will expire as quickly as an underfed seahorse.
I do believe, if you feed live food that you cultivate and you have ample supply of, be it 'pods, fish fry, BBS..still do monitor and mete the feedings. It is not a good idea to overpopulate the tank with live food. Ever. I agree that the live food population can be descimated, and if you begin with an overpopulation, your seahorse will hunt until it has depleted that overpopulation. Guaranteed. It will overfeed itself until overfeeding is no longer possible.
It is another task for the keeper to maintain a balance of..
Live foods such as pods and BBS pack a great nutritional value. This is exactly how the animal can survive in nature as an ambush predator.
Not to be rude, but I think of them as aquatic arachnids, in a sense. What happens to get snared in the web is dinner.
Being an ambush predator means that the opportunity is never constant nor guaranteed. They are designed to survive on extremely small, somewhat infrequent nourishment. They have little body mass to support and their anatomy is designed for this.
It is a difficult balance, but not impossible.
Again, just MO.
An overfed seahorse will expire as quickly as an underfed seahorse.
I do believe, if you feed live food that you cultivate and you have ample supply of, be it 'pods, fish fry, BBS..still do monitor and mete the feedings. It is not a good idea to overpopulate the tank with live food. Ever. I agree that the live food population can be descimated, and if you begin with an overpopulation, your seahorse will hunt until it has depleted that overpopulation. Guaranteed. It will overfeed itself until overfeeding is no longer possible.
It is another task for the keeper to maintain a balance of..
Live foods such as pods and BBS pack a great nutritional value. This is exactly how the animal can survive in nature as an ambush predator.
Not to be rude, but I think of them as aquatic arachnids, in a sense. What happens to get snared in the web is dinner.
Being an ambush predator means that the opportunity is never constant nor guaranteed. They are designed to survive on extremely small, somewhat infrequent nourishment. They have little body mass to support and their anatomy is designed for this.
It is a difficult balance, but not impossible.
Again, just MO.
rykna
Active Member
Originally Posted by Suzy http:///forum/post/2512482
They said someone on the Seahorse forum complained!
It seems weird that a site that wants us to have successful tanks (because then we buy a lot more stuff!) would not allow links to personal websites? I have never sold anything in my life (from my hobby, I guess), and I never will. I think it is a jinx!
Please!!!! For seahorses everywhere!!! Do not dispare!!!
Calling all Seahorse owners!!
Quoted from Dr. Seuss's "Hortons Hears a Who"
"This cried the Mayor, "is your town's darkest hour!
The time for all Whos who have blood that is red
To come to the aid of their of their country!" he said.
"We've GOT to make noises in greater amounts!
So, open you mouth, lad! For every voice counts!"
Who hear online has seahorse??? I like to know how many SH hobbyists there are! :happyfish
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/253624/calling-all-seahorse-owners
I posted this thread many moons ago.
suzy
Member
That is a Hoot!
My experience with seahorses is different than yours. I try to feed all my fish to satiety (till they are full and won't eat more) every day, and twice on the days I am off. My angels, butterflies, my piggy puffer all never get full. I really thought my puffer needed a bit extra dinner one night a few years ago, so I fed him a lot of squid and krill and homemade food. He keep eating and eating 'till I noticed his belly was a bit bogged down. Never did quite eating. But, my syngnathids are somewhat finicky. Some will eat more, some less but they always swim away from food when they are through.
Plus, this species of copepod is pretty tiny....
IME, YMMV!
My experience with seahorses is different than yours. I try to feed all my fish to satiety (till they are full and won't eat more) every day, and twice on the days I am off. My angels, butterflies, my piggy puffer all never get full. I really thought my puffer needed a bit extra dinner one night a few years ago, so I fed him a lot of squid and krill and homemade food. He keep eating and eating 'till I noticed his belly was a bit bogged down. Never did quite eating. But, my syngnathids are somewhat finicky. Some will eat more, some less but they always swim away from food when they are through.
Plus, this species of copepod is pretty tiny....
IME, YMMV!
lizzy
Member
I do not keep seahorses but I do read a lot about them but this idea that popped into my head doesnt really have anything to do with them..just temp changes. What if you turned your heater up when you turn the lights off at night...and then back down again in the morning when the lights come on...it would take practice to make sure you get it to stay at the same temp..but once you figured out exactly where you need to turn it too...prob solved! (At least in my head the prob is solved...lol now it just needs to be tested.) also i think in the wild temp does fluctuate but not that durastically that fast...big masses of water take a long time to heat up/cool down no matter the temp outside.