Will I be able to keep a seahorse in this tank?

flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I love seahorses, and I would love to try and keep them. I have a 30g long tank..12W X 14T X 36L
I have only dead rock and dead sand, so no bad critters. I also have a HOB penguin type filter. I have been searching info on the Fuscus seahorse, they are only 3-5 inches when mature, captive bred eating mysis shrimp. Also the Barbour’s seahorse that reaches 5-6 inches when mature. Can I keep either of this type of seahorse in the 30g tank?
If I can. I will continue to study and see what more I need to take care of them.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///forum/thread/382585/will-i-be-able-to-keep-a-seahorse-in-this-tank#post_3339914
I think your tank is too shallow at 14". But let's see what the horse folks say.
Its a 16 inch tank base to the edge, but it won't be filled to te very edge so I put down the aprox water line. I looked on the info here and it says 15 for the Fuscus...I think it might b doable. The Barbour's needs 18' so I know it's out.
If I can go with the seahorse I need to know before I seed the new tank with any critters from live rock, my original plan. I am only in the planning stage, this tank has a long way to go, there isn't any water even in it yet.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
ok here ya go.

Barbs -Commonly found shallow sea grass beds or clinging to hard coral.

Size: Commonly 5 to 6 inches. May get slightly larger.
Minimum Tank Size Recommendations: 20 gallons for a pair, 25 to 30 gallons for 2 pairs.
Water Temperature: 72 to 77 degrees
fuscus -Commonly found shallow in calm waters in sea grass beds and around structures, rocks, etc.
Size: Commonly 3 to 5 inches.
Minimum Tank Size Recommendations: 15 gallons for a pair. 25 to 30 gallons for 2 pairs.
Water Temperature: 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. 22 to 25 degrees Celsius
I think you would be good with either of these species, but maybe stick to fuscus-- as long as you dont plan on breeding them. The height of tanks is really for thier breeding dances. Both are a smaller speices of horses, unlike erectus and reidi that can get 8 plus inches.
I have always liked fuscus, they are really cute little horses.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member


Quote:
Originally Posted by TeresaQ http:///forum/thread/382585/will-i-be-able-to-keep-a-seahorse-in-this-tank#post_3340088
ok here ya go.
Barbs -Commonly found shallow sea grass beds or clinging to hard coral.
Size: Commonly 5 to 6 inches. May get slightly larger.
Minimum Tank Size Recommendations: 20 gallons for a pair, 25 to 30 gallons for 2 pairs.
Water Temperature: 72 to 77 degrees
fuscus -Commonly found shallow in calm waters in sea grass beds and around structures, rocks, etc.
Size: Commonly 3 to 5 inches.
Minimum Tank Size Recommendations: 15 gallons for a pair. 25 to 30 gallons for 2 pairs.
Water Temperature: 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. 22 to 25 degrees Celsius
I think you would be good with either of these species, but maybe stick to fuscus-- as long as you dont plan on breeding them. The height of tanks is really for thier breeding dances. Both are a smaller speices of horses, unlike erectus and reidi that can get 8 plus inches.
I have always liked fuscus, they are really cute little horses.

Oh wonderful! Thank you so much!
So do you think I should I get all females or all males to prevent breeding?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/382585/will-i-be-able-to-keep-a-seahorse-in-this-tank#post_3339917
Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///forum/thread/382585/will-i-be-able-to-keep-a-seahorse-in-this-tank#post_3339914
I think your tank is too shallow at 14". But let's see what the horse folks say.
Yeah, from what I know and have read, itwill be too shall for a regular horse.....you can do dwarfs though....

Just noticed your post...dwarfs are very hard to keep, way out of my range, they have no tummies so the have to have live brine srimp. I would land up breeding brine shrimp for the little guys to eat 3Xs a day or they die. That's a bigger commitment than I can make.
I have been reading up on the Fuscus captive bred, they eat frozen mysis. From what I have read, it takes 3 to 4 months for the tank to mature. I'm filling it with water now so it can begin to cycle. I have nothing but dead base rock on my tank foam wall and dry sand so no bad critters like hydroids can be in there. I love seahorses..this is going to be a happy project.
I only have fish lights, can I keep mushroom coral under fish lights?
While the tank cycles I will get the lower tank set up as a sump/refugium so I can breed copepods.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Sorry Flower....I just remember reading that was too shallow, BUT TQ knows more about horses then I do

What do you mean fish lights? Do you mean like the ones that come with FW tanks? IF SO, I think you can keep basic mushrooms.....I have kenya tree, a red mushroom, and a brown polyp in my 10G, and they grew under the 10watt mini aquarium bulbs from Walmart.....the kenya is all over....the mushroom is doing okay
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
if the tank is 15 inches and you stick to fuscus, then you should be just fine. I would prob get all females if you want one sex. Getting a couple of pairs wouldnt be a bad thing, they may breed for you, I have read about them breeding in shallower tanks. Just think about how your going to keep the tank cool. Under 77 degrees.
Look up cycling with pure ammonia too. This is what most people use for seahorse tanks.
T
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by TeresaQ http:///forum/thread/382585/will-i-be-able-to-keep-a-seahorse-in-this-tank#post_3340102
if the tank is 15 inches and you stick to fuscus, then you should be just fine. I would prob get all females if you want one sex. Getting a couple of pairs wouldnt be a bad thing, they may breed for you, I have read about them breeding in shallower tanks. Just think about how your going to keep the tank cool. Under 77 degrees.
Look up cycling with pure ammonia too. This is what most people use for seahorse tanks.
T

Thank you so much for the help.
My room stays cool. 77 is pretty warm, with a sump it should stay within range. Once I have the tank set up I will keep log on the temp to see how it does. I seriously doubt I will need a chiller.
Pure ammonia, not a shrimp ?...I am in no hurry..I still have to get my sump/refugium divided into chambers, then get the plumbing going. I have a HOB penguin type filter for now. The tank is half full, I had to make more saltwater...so maybe tomorrow I can get the HOB started and a chunk of shrimp to kick start a cycle...if I use ammonia, how much?
Yes Meowzer, regular FW florescent fish lights. What do you call regular mushrooms? Kenya trees would be perfect for a seahorse tank, do you really think Kenya could live under those lights?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

Not on the list of good or bad guys with a sea horse...can I keep a serpent star with the Fuscus Seahorse?
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
Sorry, wasnt on here last night. No, Horses are too slow movers. - Look at the compatability chart for your clean up crew.
I keep pepperment shrimp, lots of snails and a couple of hermits along with a jaw fish.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by TeresaQ http:///forum/thread/382585/will-i-be-able-to-keep-a-seahorse-in-this-tank#post_3340565
Sorry, wasnt on here last night. No, Horses are too slow movers. - Look at the compatability chart for your clean up crew.
I keep pepperment shrimp, lots of snails and a couple of hermits along with a jaw fish.

Thanks, So stay only with what is on the list, if it isn't here don't consider it..
I have been surfing the web, no kidding on It might be hard to find Fuscus Seahorses. I hope by the time I’m ready I can find some.
I registered on Seahorse.org and found Saxman, but I’m too new to do much on that site. I did look at the information they had available. After much reading I understand why they say wait 3 to 4 months before introducing a horse in a new system…LOL..As hard as it is to find them I assume my tank will be good and mature and then some.
I used a little water from my 90g to seed the new system with bacteria, I have not found pure ammonia yet. I only went to one store so far. I have the shrimp already and may just toss one in there…I seem to have plenty of time.
Right now while everything cycles I can turn my attention on hitching …any good ideas on what to look for? I assume size will be a factor because Fuscus are smaller. I was looking at fake coral, but I’m not sure of what is appropriate . I also noticed lots of people have something flat to use as a “feeding station”
 
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