Breeding Seahorses
 

Hi Everyone,

Let me first introduce myself, I am Pazil's (Lawrence) wife. I have met a few of you and have become somewhat addicted to this hobby as well. Anyway, the reason for my post is that I am curious if anyone in Calgary (or surrounding area) is currently raising (or trying) seahorses. Our male is pregnant again and I am considering trying my hand at these babies because it is such a regular occurence now and I hate watching them disappear:sad:. I know there is Seahorse.org for good information, however, I was wondering if there was somewhere I could have a look at a setup in person? Anyway, nice to have met some of you already and hope to meet some more people soon.

Thanks
Sharon

Hello Sharon!

I have a seahorse species tank, however I haven't started trying to breed yet. I would like to try it in the future but my breeding pair haven't matured yet. So I guess I'm not really helpful to you as far as your breeding setup question, but just wanted to say hello to a fellow seahorse keeper!!
Definitely seahorse.org has a lot of information. Let me know how it goes if you set up a system for the babies!

Claire

Well I think the concensus is that we will go ahead and give it a try. I will start with getting a species only tank up and running first and move the parents out of the reef :redface::redface: while we are in the process of turning the office into a breeding room. My only concern is the food requirements. If anyone has any successful (and easy:lol:) info regarding rotifers or bbs....that would be awesome!

Hi Sharon,
I think a few of us will be excited to hear how you make out. I have Seahorses as well
and would love them to breed. I have seen tanks ( can't remember where, set up for
rearing the babies) They seemed pretty plain, had plastic grate things for them to
perch on not sure what they used exactly. Some kind of garden thing I think. Hope you keep us posted on how you do it!
Leah

Also, Sharon, do you know what type of seahorses you have? Certain species are easier to raise than others... Unfortunately my breeding pair are H. Comes (Tigertail) which are quite difficult to raise. :( It will be a challenge!!

There was someone up in edmonton breeding a couple years ago (ok 2005ish) ; don't believe I've heard much since...

BBS are REALLY easy to hatch, but may not be the best food source... Rotifers are a bit more involved (never done it myself so i'll stop there). Seem to recall one of the setups I liked from the horse boards was an air driven lift pump system that used a HUGE fuge of chaeto stocked up with pods etc...

We have hippocampus erectus and from what I have read so far they may be one of the easier ones. This is one of the reasons I have decided to give it a try. I have read some of them are way more complex in raising.

I will start a build thread once we get some equipment picked up.....I will be looking for 3 - 29 gallon tanks and 1 - 15 tall to get it all started. But firstly I need to figure out what I want to do with ma and pa. Perhaps a hexagon or something. Well it will be a busy weekend I guess:biggrin::biggrin:

Sounds like fun though!

One of the bigger tank sellers - perfecto or AGA sell a 30XH (24x12 footprint - same as a 20g) but 24" tall - that works great for a breeding tank.