Seahorse Only Tank

[dakar]

Created a new forum for species specific systems for just this purpose, we are starting to beef up on knowledge for a Seahorse only tank as we considering setting one up here. Done a lot of reading, and lots more reading to come before we are willing to start dumping $$$ into the ponies. Seems like quite the ordeal, but definitely an educational experience (what isn't??)

BTW at least for the moment the ponies have won out over my original plan for a cephalopod tank, their reported captive lifespan is the biggest deterrent, don't want to remove anything from the waters that will not live a long productive happy life in captivity, although as time progresses I might still get my way on that one, got a 55g long setting empty downstairs now

Figure we'll tap the group's collective knowledge on the captive raising of these critters, so fire away with whatever you've heard, learned or whatever about what we are potentially getting ourselves into.

TIA

[Reef_Angel]

YES!! I've finally won him over on my sea horse idea!!! I've always loved them and was fascinated by them as a child as well. Yippee!! I know they are expensive and a challenge, but I'm up for it! Thank you, thank you, thank you Sweet Heart!!!
~Your Angel~

[dakar]

Hey JustDavidP, your vacation is over (wondered where you disappeared to for a while there), but this thread is still waiting for your promised thoughts and ideas...

I got permission from Angel to cut another large hole in a wall, this time to fill with another tank.... Thinking it might make for a great pony corral since it'll be viewable from both sides, the dining room and her office.

Thinking medium sandbed a little rock, lots of plants, and low flow. Lots of questions about water quality to best give the best home possible.

[Reptoreef]

Imagine a decorative fuge as your main tank(colorful algaes, LR, etc)and you have the makings of a ponie corral. Compatible species would be pipefish and Mandarin Gobies.

[JustDavidP]

Repto really has hit it on "the head"!

You want to create a "lagoon" of sorts. Low flow, sea grasses or macro (personally, I'd not use alga) or gorgonians and coral skeletons (like a rubble zone between a reef and a lagoon would look). I'm planning on a short sandy bed and coral skeleton hitching posts. The problem most people find with macro in a pony system is that you constantly have to thin it out and the less time with your hands in their tank, the happier the sea horses will be.

I also found, that the real key is to ensure you have enough tank height. Those ponies will get tall, and need some water above and below them. Especially if you want to see them in a courting/breeding ritual. The ViaAqua tanks and other "taller than wide" tanks are ideal. Even the hex tanks will work well. They really don't need much horizontal space (unless you have lots of ponies). Actually, a taller height and shorter width helps them to feed better. They don't have to expend as much energy moving around to catch their prey. Remember, ponies shouldn't have to chase the food. In their natural habitat, they snick up little bugs and such that pass by them. They will move from a hitching post to feed, but you shouldn't see them darting around to catch food.

Low flow is also key to feeding. This is why I would not go with a medium or deep sand bed. There is no doubt that food stuffs will settle to the bottom. You may find yourself building up too much nutrients in sand if it is too deep/course etc.

Remember not to put any other fish or whatever that will out compete for the food. If you have damsels or something that dart around and finish off a cube of frozen brine in two minutes, your SHs will surely suffer.

[dakar]

Great info guys!

Q: How well do you think they'd fair in a tank that was 18" tall, 48" wide, but 6" deep ?

[JustDavidP]

Honestly, it depends on the breed. Some of the dwarves (ie. Hippocampus denise, Hippocampus colemani, etc.) can live in a darned fishbowl if you worked it right. For specific needs of each species (including pipefish etc.) follow the links below :

http://www.syngnathid.org/
http://www.seahorse.org/
http://www.oceanrider.com/
http://forums.aquariumhobbyist.com/forum.php?catid=51

This article is a good one an one that I used to base my tank on (1/2 way down - "The Seahorse Tank):

http://www.seahorse.org/library/arti...sAndInfo.shtml

Dave