Seahorse tank?

[tyrisis]

The g/f wants seahorse's , would a 25 gal hex tank be good for them? What type of water is needed ... any info on setting up a seahorse tank would be grreat.

Tyson

( I am assuming they would not go into my reef tank with other fish..) :)

[fredfish]

Check out www.seahorse.org (http://www.seahorse.org) for lots of info on tanks etc..

A 28 hex sounds like a good size depending on what species you get. If you keep dwarfs, a 10g is a good size.

Fred.

[Mckitrick]

www.seanic.ca also has info and links that might be helpful.

[rottn]

28 hex sounds like a nice size to me too, depending on what you want. I've got 4 SHs in my 35g hex right now, and I definitely want 2 more (at least), so I am wishing I'd gone bigger. And I have a feeling that I will be upgrading soon. :rolleyes:

10g is actually too big for dwarfs from what I've read. It's that awkward size where it's too big for dwarfs, and too small for the other medium to large sized SHs.

[Aaron]

28 Hex's are very versatile seahorse tanks. The general rule for stocking medium size horses is one pair per 30 litres. So Mary you could actually put more in your 35. As for water, you basically treat them like any saltwater fish. (they are fish) So basic water parameters apply. The keys are low to medium water flow, and moderate lighting. Whatever you do, please buy captive bred horses.
Aaron

[Fishlips]

My sea horse tank:
20G Hex
Live rock, live sand, leathers, mushrooms, 2 X 13w CF lights, 1 power head, that's it.
Tank running about 1 year w/ sea horses, running 2 years total.
My only problem is that there are a lot of bristle worms, but they keep thins clean.

[fredfish]

Aaron. Why is it that every one recommends low light for seahorses?

From what I understand, they come from shallow inshore areas in the wild, not exactly low light.

Fred

[ScottM]

I'm thinking most people recommend low light as a result of the typically higher nutrient loads seahorse tanks have from heavy feeding regimens. The algae growth in seahorse tanks would be substantial!

Scott

[rottn]

And to add to Scott's answer, I know that SHs are a very slow moving fish, and algae can actually grow on them. I've seen pictures of SHs covered in algae! It's not very attractive. :(

Also, I believe I've read that SHs "see" the way we humans do, so therefore, having a light that's too bright might hurt their eyes. I don't know if that's true or not, but have read it somewhere.

Hopefully Aaron can give us more insight on this. Great question Fred! :)

[fredfish]

SHs are a very slow moving fish, and algae can actually grow on them

The speed a fish moves shouldn't have any effect on what "grows" on it. THey exude protective slime coats to keep stuff off their bodies including many pathogens. Must have been a very sick seahorse to have algae growing on it.

Fred.

[Aaron]

They do stay in shallower water, but they find shaded areas, or areas of heavy algae and plant growth. They are more comfortable when in seclusion. Same as a bass on a lake will always stay under a log or rock. The reason for them swimming upright (vertically) is directly related to the fact that this is the best way for them to move about their natural surroundings.
Aaron

[fredfish]

but they find shaded areas, or areas of heavy algae and plant growth

Cool. So if I were to put them in a tank with seagrass and a mangrove, they would hang around in the grass.

I am toying with the idea of setting up my 65 as a horse & pipefish tank with seagrass and a mangrove on one side and a little rock and zoos on the other side.

Fred.

[Aaron]

That is a seahorses dream tank.