This mechanism called elastic recoil feeding enables the fish to rapidly snap its head forward, using stored energy in certain neck muscles. In some respects, optimal conditions for a good seahorse tank contradict those of a good reef tank. In other words, an aquarium that is well suited for corals is inherently unsuitable for seahorses. Truly, seahorses require their own specialized system! Because they are not particularly active or territorial, pet seahorses do not really require an especially large tank.
What is more important is water quality. Therefore, while you can go a little easy on tank size, you might want to oversize the fish tank filter system. That being said, water flow must be kept to a minimum. Moreover, air bubbles should be eliminated to the greatest possible extent. The aspiring seahorse keeper is certainly off to a good start by using a quality sea salt mix e.
One or more simple, hang-on-the-back style filters work well for seahorses; a great example is the popular Marina power filter. Temperature should be monitored regularly with a reliable thermometer such as the Marina floating thermometer.
There must be enough space on the post s for all seahorses in the tank to use. Live i. Though they look unnatural, large structures made of material such as PVC pipe can work quite well as posts.
The most trouble-free way to maintain pet seahorses is to keep only individuals or bonded pairs in each tank. A bit more challenging is keeping small groups of a single species, or herds. It is possible to successfully house different species of seahorses and maybe other syngnathids together in the same tank. Attempting to keep non-syngnathids with seahorses is yet more difficult. Seahorses, being so slow, simply cannot dodge attacks by aggressive tankmates, nor can they keep up with other types of fish during feeding time.
Feeding is, arguably, where pet seahorses require the most care. To say the least, you should never count on an animal accepting any kind of prepared food like flakes or pellets.
Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Tip Unlike the infrequent feeding schedule for many aquarium fish, all seahorses must be fed live and freeze-dried Mysis shrimp at least two to three times per day every day. Brazilian Seahorse. Dwarf Seahorse. Species Overview Length: Up to 2 inches Physical Characteristics: Beige, yellow, green, or black, with possible white spots; camouflaging lumps and larger protrusions.
Gorgonian Pygmy Seahorse Hippocampus bargibanti. Species Overview Length: Up to 0. Lined Seahorse. Species Overview Length: Up to 5. Continue to 5 of 6 below. Smooth Seahorse. Species Overview Length: Up to 6. Tiger-Tail Seahorse.
Featured Video. Read More. Your Privacy Rights. In the evenings, they migrate to the yellow and orange gorgonians near the front of the tank, often with their little faces pointed right at me as they wait for their supper. Many seahorses are found in and around relatively shallow seagrass flats, as well as seagrass zones that border the calmer inner portions of a reef. While most seagrasses are considered protected species and should not be collected, there are many similar macroalgae that can be substituted in a seahorse aquarium.
If your local laws permit it, different species of Caulerpa algae are excellent candidates for a planted seahorse tank. Caulerpa is often used in refugiums for its potential to filter out ammonia and nitrate, which makes it all the more desirable for a seahorse tank.
Be sure to check your state regulations before using Caulerpa; it is considered an invasive species in some areas. Because Caulerpa can grow so quickly, it will need to be pruned to avoid choking out any coral you may have. Other slower-growing algae that do well include Gracilaria, Laurencia and Bryothamnion flame algae. I recommend live rock in a seahorse tank. Just be sure that it has been properly cured; that is, pests, such as large bristleworms and mantis shrimp, should be absent from the rock.
Bristleworms may not be a huge problem, but a mantis shrimp would likely eventually kill any seahorse tankmate. The best food for captive-bred seahorses is frozen Mysis shrimp. Because seahorses are such slow, methodical feeders, you must decide how best to present the food to them. You can hand-feed them with a little patience, spot-feed a few shrimp in front of them or set up a feeding station for them where they can eat.
In most cases, the most useful tool is going to be a turkey baster. Most seahorses should be fed six to eight shrimp twice a day.
Larger horses will eat more, so observing your animals is important. Although I love hand-feeding my seahorses, I find that a feeding station is much more convenient. A feeding station consists of any cup-like object that the horses can come up to. I use a small, clear glass culinary prep bowl, but I have seen people use many different items.
Large empty shells, flat depressions in a piece of live rock or a store-bought feeder station will work. Provide some hitching posts around the cup for the seahorses to latch onto. Present your shrimp in front of the seahorse by releasing one or two from the turkey baster in front of its snout. With a little practice, you can keep a single shrimp balanced delicately at the tip of your turkey baster while you slowly guide the shrimp and the seahorse over to the dinner bowl.
Usually you will only need to do this once or twice before they catch on. Soon you will see them motoring over to their feed bowl as soon as they see you walk in the room. Color varies from individual to individual rather than from species to species. The color of a seahorse can change depending on its mood, stress level and environment. For example, my H. When I first introduced them to the tank, they both lost most of their yellow coloration and assumed a mottled brown that blended in with the live rock.
Closely monitor your seahorses for color changes; a radical color change may be the result of stress. A stressed horse, however, may lose these saddle markings completely. Seahorses are prone to most of the same ailments as other fish.
The diagnosis and description of seahorse disease could fill a full volume by itself. Detailed diagnosis and care articles are available online with a quick Internet search. To cover the basics, however, remember that though they are so visually different, seahorses will still occasionally come down with the most common of marine parasites: ich.
Of course, the best cure for ich is prevention, so be vigilant and quarantine any animal before it goes into your aquarium system. Seahorses are also prone to developing skin lesions from time to time. Be prepared with a small hospital tank, just in case you need to remove and treat a seahorse. And now you are ready for your own seahorse tank!
I hope this guide has been helpful to you. Although a seahorse aquarium requires a little more work to start up, the benefits of the finished product far outweigh the initial planning required. Seahorse aquariums are both incredibly relaxing and completely enthralling at the same time. After all, your seahorses will probably be watching you back. Published: January 1, By: Chewy Editorial Updated: March 18, By: Chewy Updated: November 12, By: Chewy Editorial Published: January 1, By: Chewy Updated: March 18, By: Chewy Editorial Published: July 3, View all in be inspired.
View all in be generous. Seahorse Basics There are many different species of seahorses available to marine aquarists these days, and some species have very different requirements for their environment.
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