would like your input please on seahorses

[rayjay]

Jeff, it's great that you are researching before buying.
While there are a few people that succeed with keeping seahorses in various set ups with other tank mates and in coral tanks and indeed at temperatures not recommended, but they are in the minority and unfortunately for every one that exists there are probably hundreds if not thousands that fail that way.
When I first started I picked recommendations that I wanted to adhere to and ignored some others because I thought that my 12 yrs of reefing (at that time) would ensure my success.
Well, my seahorses paid the price.
Seahorse keeping can be fraught with so many problems even when you do everything to minimize chances of losses, but ignoring them definitely makes success much more fleeting.
I would suggest you start off keeping seahorses under the most stringent conditions aiding their success, and if you get past a year that way then you might consider doing some of the other things you would like to do with the tank.
Buy TRUE captive bred, keep a species only tank, start with a sterile system and cycle tank completely, maintain tank temperatures between 68° and 74°, and set up a very frequent, relentless housekeeping regime.

[lockrookie]

Originally Posted by rayjay

Jeff, it's great that you are researching before buying.
While there are a few people that succeed with keeping seahorses in various set ups with other tank mates and in coral tanks and indeed at temperatures not recommended, but they are in the minority and unfortunately for every one that exists there are probably hundreds if not thousands that fail that way.
When I first started I picked recommendations that I wanted to adhere to and ignored some others because I thought that my 12 yrs of reefing (at that time) would ensure my success.
Well, my seahorses paid the price.
Seahorse keeping can be fraught with so many problems even when you do everything to minimize chances of losses, but ignoring them definitely makes success much more fleeting.
I would suggest you start off keeping seahorses under the most stringent conditions aiding their success, and if you get past a year that way then you might consider doing some of the other things you would like to do with the tank.
Buy TRUE captive bred, keep a species only tank, start with a sterile system and cycle tank completely, maintain tank temperatures between 68° and 74°, and set up a very frequent, relentless housekeeping regime.

see i respect that completely.i know some ppl look at this as just a hobby but its not these are living creatures. i dont want to torture harm any of my tank friends as i call them. i hope to give them a great home for not only my enjoyment but thiers as well. this is why im asking for input and plan on reading your info as well.

again im not sure if i will ever go the route of the horse.. i may never do it. i am only a year old reefer after all. and reading can oly get me so far. if i cant get comfortable with myself keeping them then i will leave it until i am. i had a few loses on a few fish. and it upset me (im a baby ) recently i had two baby clowns in my qt tank commit suicide by power head. i knew i shoulda shut it down but didnt soi know it was my faut and i still beat myself up over it.

there is so much to learn in this obsession. so much a person can desire..but not everyone should aquire. i agree on the true captive bred. not only for pony's but for most fish. even if i dont take the plunge i hope this helps other curious minds as well.

[sphelps]

Talk to Colby at Bayside in Saskatoon. Every so often he brings in true tank raised horses from Australia which are by far the best ones too get. I've kept a two pairs at different times in different setups, both very successful and I did keep various corals and some other fish with them (to me this would suggest my success wasn't based on luck). These particular horses are actually easy to care for, they cost a little more but worth it for sure.

Good luck.

[rayjay]

Unfortunately Seahorse Sanctuary stopped producing seahorses earlier this year and it will not be possible to get those seahorses anymore.
We're awaiting the possible replacement by another company from Australia but at the moment I am not aware of it actually happening yet.
In the meantime, Blue World Aquatic in Edmonton brings in TRUE captive bred reidi seahorses and has also arranged to bring in TRUE captive bred erectus and zostera later this year.
BWA will be the ONLY source in Canada for these erectus and zostera.

[sphelps]

That's the worst news I've heard since I sold all my livestock, perfect!

[lockrookie]

well if i do attempt seahorses i can guaronte they wont be going in my 50g i can barely keep the tank below 80 with the fans.. but i do have a nice 20g sitting around that if i do decide to try them i will set up a straight sehorse only tank just for them at the proper temps. i have to take a break from all this reading tho. getting information overload.

step back take a breath start again

[rayjay]

To be honest, a twenty is not an easy size to maintain for a pair of normal seahorses, and is too large for dwarfs, unless you have a pile of them.
Best to start with a 29/30g for normal size and that will hold one pair. For each additional pair you need an additional 15g of tank.