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Seahorse care questions

reefsandrotts

reefsandrotts

NJRC Member
Although I have gotten alot of my questions answered already (thanks matt) wanted to start this thread for everyone.
My set up will be a 75 rr with live rock gargonais caulerpa and around 3-4 sets of horses.When I start it I will move it into tale of the tank step by step with the suggestions that were given to me.
My questions to him were,what size tank and filtration should I do,temp,ideas on rock,inverts and macro algae so with this I'll let him fill us all in.
Thanks again Matt
 
panmanmatt

panmanmatt

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Jim I am glad you started this thread.

A 75 gallon would work fine for seahorses as would the LR gorgonians and caulerpa. Your basic clean up crew of snails will work just fine also. Shrimp are questionable as some seahorses will see them more as a snack then a neighbor. In a tank of this size you can keep 3-4 pairs (6-8 seahorses) comfortably.

2 things you need to keep in mind are flow and temperature. You want about a 7-10x turn over rate for the tank of indirect flow. Indirect flow meaning flared end nozzles and/or spray bars on the returns. They can't handle a strong direct flow. &00gph through a 3/4 inch return is a lot stronger than 700 gph through a spray bar. Same rate but a gentler flow.

Temperatures need to be in the 72-74F range. Anything higher than that and you will run into bacterial issues.

Another important piece of info I can give you is to get true captive bred specimens either from a commercial breeder or a hobbiest breeder. Captive specimens are healthier and will be trained to eat frozen mysis shrimp when you get them.

You will see quite a few seahorses for sale in the LFS and on wholesaler lists. If either the store or the wholesaler can't give you a species or the breeders name then I wouldn't buy them. These seahorses are most likely net pen raised from either Sri Lanka or Vietnam. They come with the same health issues as a wild caught seahorses as they are raised in net pens in the open ocean. Another thing I don't agree with or buy into is selling a seahorse based on colour. Seahorses can and will change colour. No reputable breeder will sell their horses based on colour and I try to discourage folks from buying them on the same basis.

Feel free to post any other questions you may have. I will do my best to answer them for you. If I don't know the answer, I will track it down for you.
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

from a cost perspective - i believe CB specimens are more expensive than WC...so this is a great opportunity to do something about sustainable husbandry via your wallet! ;)
 
panmanmatt

panmanmatt

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
phil519 said:
from a cost perspective - i believe CB specimens are more expensive than WC...so this is a great opportunity to do something about sustainable husbandry via your wallet! ;)
Click to expand...

CB are only more expensive when it comes to the price of the horses itself. While WC seahorses cost less to purchase they will cost you a lot more in the long run. With WC's you will need to factor in the cost of live foods and medications. It can cost upwards of a few hundred dollars a month to feed live foods to a single seahorse.
 
R

reeferwanabe

Matt do you run a chiller. I know you told me I could keep the temp down with fans but I have a hard time (especially) in the summer believing I can keep temps between 72-74
 
panmanmatt

panmanmatt

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Nope, no chiller for me. I don't have AC either. I use fans and run my lights in the evening when it is cooler during the summer.

This works for 99% of the days but when it don't I float ice bags in the tank to keep it cool.
 
R

reeferwanabe

thats a great idea with the lights at night. all night? or on a timer? I used to float ice in my old tank but in the bag a much better idea
 
panmanmatt

panmanmatt

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
reeferwanabe said:
thats a great idea with the lights at night. all night? or on a timer? I used to float ice in my old tank but in the bag a much better idea
Click to expand...

On a timer, they are in my bedroom so all night is not an option. Usually from about 5 pm to about 10 pm. I also use frozen water bottles as they can be re-frozen and re-used over and over.

I have used straight ice cubes, but if you use RO water for top off then straight iuce cubes aren't great. Unless of course you make ice with RO/DI water also.
 
C

camz28

This is great information Matt ,now i dont have to go all over the net and look for it .
well you guys are giving me an idea ::),keep it coming i might end up doing one of them to ;D. but i need a lot more input before i decide .
 
panmanmatt

panmanmatt

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Ralph, just give a holler. I will do my best to answer any questions you can come up with.
 
MikeNapoli

MikeNapoli

Matt, just wanted to say thank you very much... if it wasn't for your info and knowledge I would have probably failed miserably at keeping my reidi pair.

The look happier than ever and if anyone is planning on doing a seahorse tank please contact Matt for information and let him hear your plans and he'll guide you in the right direction.
 
panmanmatt

panmanmatt

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
MikeNapoli said:
Matt, just wanted to say thank you very much... if it wasn't for your info and knowledge I would have probably failed miserably at keeping my reidi pair.

The look happier than ever and if anyone is planning on doing a seahorse tank please contact Matt for information and let him hear your plans and he'll guide you in the right direction.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the kind words, Mike. I am really glad they are doing well for you.
 
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