seahorse question

[jasonperez]

can seahorses live in a a 10g refuge 60gph going in it and a 50/50 builb? Im thinking to do a refuge/ seahorse tank and run it off my main tank but not in the main sump? Would the seahorses like it or not?

 

[tosiek]

There are 3 size groupings of seahorses (usually depending who u ask). Usually the pygmy's are kept in 3-5g tanks, med ones 25g+ and the larger ones at 30-55+ gallons. They migth be ok but they need some room to move around and be happy. 10 gallons is pushing it for them and if you go pygmy they will get into your return area's or get stuck to the intake/outtake. 60gph is alot for them also. Its like the Tang topic. Yeah u can fit one in a smaller tank but....

Try Seahorse.org and ask them. Im sure you don;t get a pleasant answer =0) Or contact Domboski. He keeps them.

 

[jasonperez]

thanks

 

[cb747]

Can you? Sure. Should you? Nope. Even if you buy them small they will grow and outgrow the tank. Ill second seahorse.org for info.

 

[jasonperez]

#2 thanks

 

[o0jmadr0x0o]

sorry to hijack but what about a 40g fuge? with only about 250gph.
fuge also has cheoto in it but could keep it trimmed down

 

[autoponicz]

i have read that seahorses like colder temps. around 72-75 degrees?...so it wont really fit into our reef tanks

 

[asianer]

I am far from an expert when it comes to keeping seahorses and I am in no way giving advice, just my experience with them. I bought a couple of Reidi seahorses at the frag swap, am keeping them in a 20g reef tank with mixed corals. At first I was concerned because they weren't eating but apparently it is quite common for new seahorses to not eat for the first couple of days, or until they feel comfortable in their environment. They did, however, start eating live brine shrimp immediately but you have to remember to fortify the live brine with HUFA supplements as there is little to no nutritional value in the brine itself. Brine shrimp are filter feeders so they will ingest whatever is in the water so you need to let them swim in fortified water for a couple of hours. It is of utmost importance that they be weaned onto a more nutritious fare as they can literally starve to death over the course of a couple of months while deceivingly eating a large amount of brine. Deceiving because their stomachs will remain fat but they will not be receiving the needed nutrients. I slowly introduced frozen mysis in between live brine feedings and they eventually began eatng the mysis. I now exclusively feed them frozen mysis fortified with Selcon. I have been told that they need a fasting day to compensate for all the HUFA's they are taking in. I feed them twice a day and had a rough beginning but they seem to have adjusted to the tank, the frozen mysis, and the lighting cycle quite well. I do 1 gallon water changes every 2 or 3 days as I am not running a skimmer and the Selcon creates a film at the top that I skim with a turkey baster. They are amazing creatures but do require a bit of work; they enjoy low flow, lots of hitching posts, hunting pods, and their sleeping time. They also cannot be kept with agressive eaters as they are slow eaters and quicker fish will outcompete the seahorses. I know I still have much more to learn but I hope my experience can help save a seahorse or two.

 

[jasonperez]

thanks thats what i look for, is experience not advice thaks again!!!

 

[cb747]

Ive kept and still have seahorses. Mine are housed in a 30 cube. You asked if a 10 gallon tank was acceptable and would the seahorse be happy. Those questions were answered.
Asianer was dead on about there feeding regimine. Live brine has no nutritional value. Best bet is captive bred horses because they already eat frozon mysis. You can keep horses in a 10 gallon but its not recomended. You could always start off in a 10 gallon with a smaller species like Reidis and upgrade when the time comes. Ive bred seahorses and only got them to live 4 months after alot of hard work. So i do know a thing or 2 about them. Any other questions feel free to ask me. I refered you to seahorse.org because there is a wealth of information there.