So after reading of the articles posted (minus the horror stories) and seeing all of the cool pictures, I have been thinking about potential keeping sea horses sometime. Angel has been nudging me that direction as well.
I guess one of my big questions is can you mix sea horses, reef fish (LMB, fire fish, percula clowns) along with softie corals all together in one big happy tank? I will be down grading soon to a 38 gallon (36"L, 12"W, 20"D) with the idea of setting up a softie/LPS tank but maybe a seahorse/softie reef tank is something to consider. I would love some input on this.
So after reading of the articles posted (minus the horror stories) and seeing all of the cool pictures, I have been thinking about potential keeping sea horses sometime.
Well.. after knowing you for as long as I have..and knowing your experience with reef and other marine systems, I would say that you would probably have little trouble with this project. With that said, it is "different" from all that you've done and learned and I'd encourage you to continue your research...especially in light of your questions below
I guess one of my big questions is can you mix sea horses, reef fish (LMB, fire fish, percula clowns) along with softie corals all together in one big happy tank?
You really shouldn't..for many reasons.
First and foremost, most pony keepers have realized that keeping the seahorses in temperatures that are below those found in "reef" help to keep bacterial infections at bay. It'd not be easy to keep them in the 80'sF and it would not be easy to keep clowns and other fish in temps in the mid to mid-up 70'sF.
Also, all sygnathids are what I call "slow, methodic feeders". They are very slow and deliberate in their hunting and snicking food. They actually stare down both live and prepared foods to identify them as food, before they eat it. With that said, a pair of clowns or any other "agressive" feeder would strip that food from the water column before the ponies ever got a bite to eat.
Seahorses are very tranquil.. downright pacific in their habits. They really should be left to a well mannered, lagoonal type system. Other fish greatly benefit from fast moving tankmates who act as "dither fish". Ponies on the other hand, get very skittish and change their behaviors drastically in an exciting environment. They may even hide in rockwork to rarely be seen. Most keepers even locate their tank in a lower traffic area of their home to keep the ponies from getting stimulation overload.
Corals are yet another story. Visit seahorse.org and their library for a good list of compatible corals (and fish for that matter). Any coral that can pack a punch with their sting should be left out of a seahorse tank. Some softies, coralimorphs etc. are okay. Some even say that Montipora Digitata is okay. Personally, I'd not mix them. I'd also steer clear from LPS that can ingest large foods. The sting would be a @^%$* and again, they can ingest large foods! Finally, clams, in my opinion, are a "no no". Just their sheer reaction to any stimuli (instant flexing of the adductor muscle) would be enough to worry me. An unsuspecting pony, dragging its tail through a clam mantle could prove to be a disaster.
I will be down grading soon to a 38 gallon (36"L, 12"W, 20"D) with the idea of setting up a softie/LPS tank but maybe a seahorse/softie reef tank is something to consider. I would love some input on this.
A seahorse/softy tank could work. Again, read up, check out the org's library, ask more questions, plan, ask more questions, and let's give it a whirl!
just a thought here...David covered the SH reef issue VERY well, but let me toss this thought into the mix:
if you want to keep syngnathids in a reef setting, and aren't set on SH, any of the "reef" pipefish (Doryhamphus sp.) work very well. our reef is currently home to a Janss', and she's fat and happy. she eats frozen mysis, but spends her time hunting in the LR as well.
Bandeds (including yellows and multi's) seem to be less cryptic than janssi or bluestripes, and you need to make sure you don't keep two male bluestripes, as they'll fight.
Ah yes you are correct Mr. Greg!!! I really enjoy having you and others here who can chime in and keep me straight and narrow!!
I love my bluestripe!! Here's my lil' boy.
If you are interested, they are neat little creatures. They are almost "wrasse-like" in the way they zip in and out of the live rock. They are incredible "pod snipers" too! This guy eats frozen cyclopeeze, shaved frozen mysid and will literally tear apart frozen adult brine shrimp.
They are built like little torpedos and have no problem in a higher flow environment. As Greg mentioned, they have NO patience for same sex in a captive system. They are somewhat hard to sex as juveniles, but as adults are somewhat easier. Males have a bumpy snout, with hair/hook-like protrusions. The male also has a "canoe" looking belly, where his brooding pouch is..that it to say, it is somewhat flattened or even sometimes concave. The female has a more round appearance.
IMHO, pipes are kinda where SH were a couple of years ago, but they're coming on strong, and we're learning more about them as people gain more experience.
my daughter's LFS just got in a couple of GORGEOUS alligator pipes...good thin i don't have a system up to accomodate them...*evil grin*
One of the few good ones I have. They are hard to shoot. I found that it's best to use a flash and use photoshop to clean up the "wash" afterwards or they are, for the most part, blurry.
You try and get a blue-stripe to sit still and say cheese :D
One of the few good ones I have. They are hard to shoot. I found that it's best to use a flash and use photoshop to clean up the "wash" afterwards or they are, for the most part, blurry.
You try and get a blue-stripe to sit still and say cheese :D
Thanks for all of the thoughts and ideas. I think for the time being I will just stick with fish and corals but I am certainly going to read up on seahorses and pipes.
Sea Horses and Reef fish, does it work???
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Originally Posted by Whoyah
