type of seahorse?

**duke1231** · 12-23-2006, 01:13 PM

I have a 29gal. still in cycle phase, and my wife and I are starting to fall in love with these horses of the sea. I would really like to start full blown research on them, are there any good books? What is a good type of horse for my 29 gal?

**lcstorc** · 12-23-2006, 02:00 PM

I have kudas but that is the only kind I have ever had. Watching them is one of my favorite things to do, but keep in mind they require extra maintenance including multiple feedings and very stable water paramaters. They are not considered a good animal for beginners.

**duke1231** · 12-23-2006, 02:32 PM

that and I was just reading my tropical fish magazine that they require suffecient head room, for breeding and if they don't have the head room could develop certain types of illneses. They said "you should have at least 20in tall tank.

**Seahorsedreams** · 12-23-2006, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by duke1231

and if they don't have the head room could develop certain types of illneses.

That's not true.

Ideally, 3 times the seahorses adult size from crown to tail tip is the height you are shooting for. I had some erectus in a long tank one time and they did have trouble breeding.... but they did manage.

Is it a 29 gallon all-in-one cube type tank that you have? Doers it have a heat issue? Seahorse like cooler temps... cool like 73. Well, not so much that the seahorses like the cooler temps but their foe, vibrio, does NOT like the cooler temps. Vibrio is the number one infection we run across in horses. At lower temps it doesn't occur as much.

The book I have found most accurate and useful has been the few pages of "spot light" they receive in Reef Fishes by Michael Scott.

A pair of "anything " will fit into a 29. Don't get any cool water seahorses unless you plan on getting a chiller. The best beginning seahorse is the erectus... more specifically the Southern Erectus if you want the "full experience". We've started separately IDing the Nothern and Southern varieties mainly due to the difference in the fry. The Nothern variety are palegic which make them more difficult to raise... you have to keep them rotating in the water column. The Southern variety are demersal.... much easier.

But actually I've kept a lot of different ones over the years and I've honestly never found one to be more touche than another. If you get a healthy specimen and treat him well he will live well. I've had Barbs, Erectus, Reidi and Kuda and a Rebarb (Reidi/Barb mix). All were the same except the erectus and the Barb babies are easier to raise.

If you have any other questions... shoot away.

**duke1231** · 12-23-2006, 03:40 PM

oh wow you really know a lot. I guess I know who to go to for seahorse help. I have a regular 29gal tank. If I do go with seahorses it's not going to be for a long time because I want to make sure I have a strong idea on how my tank parameters should be and be able to keep everything stable. While I do that I would love to do lots of research on a particular seahorse and the one you gave me seems interesting. thanks again, and I will be going to you for more of my questions lol. be prepared

**Seahorsedreams** · 12-23-2006, 03:48 PM

Ask away..... there are a bunch of us on here that keep horses and can answer your questions.... and us seahorse folks love talking about such things.

Seahorses, BTW, don't require "special" water parameters from your average fish. They are kind of in the middle.

**duke1231** · 12-23-2006, 03:59 PM

I keep reading on these other websites about having at least 20in high aquarium, mine is only 18. Have you kept seahorses in tanks shorter then 20 in high?

**Seahorsedreams** · 12-23-2006, 04:25 PM

I don't know if I wanna even be saying this but I've kept horses in shorter. But after keeping them in there I realized they definately needed more height when courting.

What sites are you referencing? I won't put down any of them.... maybe just give ya a little nudge one way or the other :-)

**duke1231** · 12-23-2006, 04:33 PM

oh um one that I googled was a place that sells them I believe it was seahorses.com. the other one was by Pete Giwojna who wrote an article for wetwebmedia.com I believe it was. He also wrote the cover article for this months feature of TFH called "A Seahorse Reef"

**duke1231** · 12-23-2006, 04:34 PM

Are they really 60.00 for just one?

**lcstorc** · 12-23-2006, 04:41 PM

I paid around 50 for my cb kudas at my lfs so 60 does not sound out of the question.
I would recommend buying them locally and only buying captive bred. When buying locally have the lfs feed them and only buy one that you see eat frozen food (usually mysis). That is unless you want to either grow or constantly buy live food for them.

**Seahorsedreams** · 12-23-2006, 04:42 PM

Dood! He's saying it's okay to to keep horses in a reef!! Is this article online! Or was he just using it as a play on words?

Horses can be expensive, yes. The captive bred ones. Tank raised ones you see at the LFS are cheaper but possibly not as healthy.

Do some research on seahorse.com.... there are other sites that have plenty to say about them, both good and bad but I think you really need to read some of it yourself to make up your own mind.

**Seahorsedreams** · 12-23-2006, 04:44 PM

Can I say where I got my horses form, and where I will get all my future horses from? Not sure if I am allowed so I'll wait to get permission on that one.

**duke1231** · 12-23-2006, 04:50 PM

yea you are right I will do my research

**lcstorc** · 12-23-2006, 05:11 PM

seahorse.org also has a lot of information for you to read.
Seahorses are tremendously rewarding but are not the easiest to keep IMO. I wish I had done more research before buying mine but I had to learn some things the hard way.
Learn from my and others mystakes please. Thre is a series coming up on seahorses specifically. At least wait for and listen to that. I am sure there will be lots of good info as there always is in the podcasts.

**duke1231** · 12-23-2006, 05:15 PM

oh dont worry, it will be awhile before I get any, I am still in the cycling stage. I love to research, sometimes thats more fun then actually getting what your researching lol.

**Seahorsedreams** · 12-23-2006, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by lcstorc

seahorse.org also has a lot of information for you to read.

There's where you do your search on all prospective places for you to buy horses!

**iglowce** · 01-04-2007, 02:16 AM

gluck on ur seahorse journey

**duke1231** · 01-04-2007, 06:53 AM

thanks Iglowce

**JustDavidP** · 01-04-2007, 02:35 PM

Renee..

For the most part, Rob and the Talking Reef staff have no issue with recommendations for suppliers. Mentioning where you buy and will always buy seahorses is okay as long as it doesn't become a full fledged "commercial"

You'll notice that my DIY article about my clam tank got all "comercially" with Marco Rocks. That is only because Marc was in "sponsorship mode".

Again, our concepts for TR are based upon the passing of GOOD information to the hobbyist in a MUCHO FRIENDLY atmosphere. With that said, should you have any leads for good suppliers....post away.

Duke.... Please do research the org, and ask away to Renee, Greg, myself, Lynn and the other pony keepers. The ONLY dumb questions are the ones not asked.

Best of luck!

Dave

**Seahorsedreams** · 01-04-2007, 04:44 PM

Cool! Then I guess I can say that my horses are from SeahorseSource.com. You'll never hear a complaint about their custumer service because it's freaking awesome.

One time someone in my area had a sick seahorse and was skimming the internet for solutions..... came across Dan's site and emailed him. Dan called her, got all of the info and then called Greg and I to see if we could help. Who else does that? The horses she had weren't from him. Okay, I better be careful or I will turn into a commercial :-)

**iglowce** · 01-04-2007, 11:49 PM

very awesome!

***Rob*** · 01-05-2007, 02:44 AM

thanks Renee, i have worked with them as well (Dan specifically)
they are a distributor for Algagen products, which is a TR Sponsor.
would love to have seahoursesource as a sponsor, but last time i talk to Dan, i dont think he was interested. still i do recommend them, great service

and Dave, i concur with your statements, never hesitate to pass on good info, thats what we are here for

**JustDavidP** · 01-05-2007, 11:07 AM

*pointing up* See

He KNOWS what the hobby is about.. he KNOWS what the hobby resources are lacking and HE KNOWS how to fill that gap... with a big dose of the Talking Reef Comminity.

PS.. I fully endorse Danu as well...not that I've ever received "product" from Seahorsesource per se, but as a supporter of the "Org", I've received nothing but solid advice and guidance from Dan.

**carrieincolorado** · 01-14-2007, 04:53 AM

Yes! Seahorse Souce is where I got my Pixies, and they are awesome, I must say. But I don't understand the remark about keeping seahorses in a reef, I have my 2 pair of erectus in a Reef Tank-- with corals, zoos, a scallop, starfish (of the right sort) etc and I am not ignorant of any dangers and have set up my tank accordingly. ??