Ok newbie help needed.

[NYer]

My g/f is going to start her own saltwater tank (her first) to raise sea horses in.

She has a 12 gallon Nanocube all her own.

1.What kind of substrate is best or are we going barebottom ?
2.What is ideal tempature ph and chemistry for horsies ?
3.She is hoping to put 2 dwarf or smaller horses in the 12 g is that ok ?
4.What kind of cleanup crew is appropriate with 2 in a 12 g ? (snail or hermit) (how many etc.)

If you can answer those 4 ques. I think next time I need to post it will be to show you pics.

[VWD]

She has a 12 gallon Nanocube for dwarf Sh's will be ok, I have never keeped them and am sure Yoiy will get more relpies here

1.What kind of substrate is best or are we going barebottom ?I like BB but that just me , but for the dwarf I think some find sand will work great.
2.What is ideal tempature ph and chemistry for horsies ? Someone Else will have to give best temp for them , Idea temp I think is 72 to 74, I have read as high as 78 will work also, I know someone raising them will chime in,
3.She is hoping to put 2 dwarf or smaller horses in the 12 g is that ok ? yes
4.What kind of cleanup crew is appropriate with 2 in a 12 g ? (snail or hermit) (how many etc.) some small snails


You will also have to be ready to feed live brineshrimp daily

If you can answer those 4 ques. I think next time I need to post it will be to show you pics.

[YLChik]

Originally Posted by NYer

My g/f is going to start her own saltwater tank (her first) to raise sea horses in.

She has a 12 gallon Nanocube all her own.

1.What kind of substrate is best or are we going barebottom ?
2.What is ideal tempature ph and chemistry for horsies ?
3.She is hoping to put 2 dwarf or smaller horses in the 12 g is that ok ?
4.What kind of cleanup crew is appropriate with 2 in a 12 g ? (snail or hermit) (how many etc.)

If you can answer those 4 ques. I think next time I need to post it will be to show you pics.

1. with a DSB you loose verticle height that is important to seahorses... because of that I would go bb or ssb... choice is up to you

2. temperature depends on species, but tropical should be run at 72-74 the warmer the tank the more likely infection is to set in. everything else runns like a regular tank

3.dwarf seahorses are so very tiny that 2 in a 12 gallon will be almost impossible to feed and keep water quality up. I belive they need live foods that need to be hatched daily... so smaller tank for the dwarfs

4. in most of what i have read people like pepermint shrimp, nassarurius vibex, astrea, margarita, cerith, many stay away from hermits I like the scarlet hermtis, however I don't actually HAVE the horses yet- just been reading and getting ready since December


Hope that helps you some...
Amy

[VWD]

Thanks Amy!

[jojon60]

I am sorry but I think The 12 gallon is to small long term for two adult seahorses. Seahorses can grow to be a least 7 inches and need 3 times their length in tank height to mate and greet each other. The smallest tank I would use for regular seahorses is 29, 30 gallons. A 12 gallon would make a great grow out tank if you got young seahorses but they would need to be moved into a larger tank when they reached adult hood.

The largest tank I would use for dwarfs would be a 5 gallon, even then you will have a hard time with feeding density and keeping the water clean. Dwarf seahorses are less than and inch with there tails straightened out, small than your little finger nail, full grown. You would never see them in the 12 gallon. They also require new hatched brine shrimp 2 times a day so you would need multiple hatcheries going.

HTH

Jan

[YLChik]

NYer
Don't get discuraged by our posts, I was/am suprised at how diferent seahorses are from a reef or fish tank.

THere are several good places on the net to read, and we are gaining knowledge here at trt so I am glad you stoped by and asked.

Gives us all a chance to see if we are learning anything helpful

Another place to cruise info is over at seahorse.org
but ya gotta come back here and tell us what you are learning

[NYer]

IS there a species good for a 12 gallon cube since that is what we have. Something that is 2 -3 inches grown ?

Are there any that can eat dead food (not live)

[YLChik]

Originally Posted by VWD

Thanks Amy!

No problem

I was glad I could help

[YLChik]

Originally Posted by NYer

IS there a species good for a 12 gallon cube since that is what we have. Something that is 2 -3 inches grown ?

Are there any that can eat dead food (not live)

I am not sure about the 12 gallon issue... you would need to check height of tank vs height of seahorse....

tank breed ( TB or captive breed CB) seahorses like fromplaces like
dracomarnie.com
seahorsesource.com
oceanrider.com

eat frozen mysis/ mysids (i never spell that right).

Wild Caught (WC) horses are 1 illegal and 2 eat live foods

some breeders have net pens in the ocean- these horses are prone to more infections, but many have had great sucess in caring for them, and getting them to eat frozen foods.


When you are researching the type of seahorse you would like to have the net penned vs. tank breed issue is a good one to be aware of.

HTH

[jojon60]

NYer,

Some people say that 12 gallons is the minimum size for 2 adult seahorses. That being said, I have been reading everything I can get my hands on for the last 6 years, Including two forums dedicated to seahorses only. I have kept seahorses for the last four years and my oldest male is now about 4 1/2. He was 6 months old when I got him. I don't know of anyone who has kept seahorses long term who would recommend that tank size for long term.


There are two Seahorses that we can get here in the states that stay pretty small but both types need a chiller because the water temp needs to be kept 65 -70 degrees.

Ocean rider offers what they call the Zulu which is a Capensis. they grow to about 3 inches. They are a bottom dwelling seahorse and are prone to tail rot if not kept between 68 an 70 degrees. There used to be a couple people over at seahorse.org who bred them. If you get them from Ocean Rider they are $145.00 each.

Seahorsesource sells a imported seahorse from Australia that's called a Breviceps. This little guy is so cute and if I had a chiller this is what I would get. They only grow to about 4" but require real cool temps of 65 to 69 degrees. The price for them is about 80.00 dollars I think.

Draco Marine also offers a northern Erectus that may be a little smaller than the southern ones we are familiar with. If you called Gorge I am sure he could tell you for sure.


Amy
you can still get wild caught seahorses. Its not illegal if you don't export them. So you still come across wild caught Erectus in some fish stores.

As Amy said what ever you decide is best for you be sure to buy from a reputable breeder. These are less likely to stress out and get sick and are already eating frozen mysis.

The vender's Amy listed all have healthy seahorses.

I have been to Seahorsesource's facility (I picked out my first seahorses from Dan) and seen pictures of Draco's. All I can say is if you ever get the chance, try to tour these facilities.

My humble opinion
Jan

[NYer]

Interesting stuff ... TY

I dont understand there seems to be conflicting information. One says Dwarf horses need smaller than 12 gallons and someone is saying all horses need to be larger tank than 12 g ???

They have a mated pair of beautifull black horses at the LFS about one 1 and 1/2 inch and they are in a tiny tank there. They are 30 bucks each, but I have no idea what type they are.

My thought was to give her some tank water and sand and live rock from my established tanks. Than some chaeto and nice macro algaes to hitch to and get her that pair.

Is this an awful idea. We were in the store and watching them court one another hitch to each other and hold tails and hunt pods or something.

[NYer]

As for tempature we keep the house at 68 at all times. so wouldn't a tank with a heater set at 65 for back up work fine ? we have central air can't that function as a chiller. Our area never has power outtage the lines are all underground.

[jojon60]

Sadly there is a lot on conflicting opinions out there. Keeping seahorses in the home aquarium happy and healthy is relatively new. Only in the last few years since around 2000 has anyone had much success in breeding them large scale.

Dwarfs need way smaller than 12 gallons unless you plan on getting dozens of then. You would never see them. I have a picture of a friends let me see if I can post it for you.

Regular size seahorses can probably live in 12 gallons. Should two 6 or 7 inch adult seahorses be kept in 12 gallons, I personally would not. That's my opinion.

That beautiful "pair" at the local fish store are probably only a few months old. You will not be able to sex them until the reach about 6 to 8 months old. At that price they are probably pen raised and should be treated as wild caught and wormed.

I use my house AC to help keep the temp between 72 and 74 degrees. You only need the cooler temps if you plan to get the Bevies or Caps I mentioned earlier.

Seahorses are amazing animals with individual personalities. You will love having them as long as you can keep them happy and stress free.

All Seahorses need are a simple species only system.

Crushed coral or barebottom really doesn't matter. They don't need any special lights, No stinging corals or fast moving fish who can and will out compete the horse for food and stress them out, Simple filter system, I ran my 46 gallon seahorse tank for years with a whisper hang on the back filter.

If you are just starting to research seahorses. I would suggest you read everything you can get your hands on and then decide for your self what will work for you.

Jan

this little seahorse is only 1" long including his tail straight. I had to use a magnafing glass to even see him well and get this picture.

[YLChik]

Originally Posted by jojon60

NYer,
Amy
you can still get wild caught seahorses. Its not illegal if you don't export them. So you still come across wild caught Erectus in some fish stores.

Jan

Thanks Jan!

I am VERY glad you cleared that up for me

Sorry for the false info Nyer oops!

[jojon60]

Amy,

I have heard of a case where even the fish and Game officers had to look it up . Friend almost went to jail trying to argue with them over this . Of course wild seahorses are not for a new seahorse keeper because they open up a whole new set of problems!!


Jan