Dwarf Seahorse in Nano Reef?

[SteveZz]

I was wondering if anyone had some thoughts on if it?s possible to have success with a Dwarf Seahorse in a 20 gallon display tank with a 10 gallon sump. My tank is pretty stocked with coral but I don?t think there?s anything that would be able to eat the Seahorse. I have a Duncan coral that would probably the most capable of any coral I have.

As far as fish go I have a clownfish and a mandarin.

For circulation I have a return pump in one corner (not sure exactly the gph coming out of there offhand) and I have a circulation pump.

Just looking for some opinions on making this addition before I try (if I do).

Appreciate any feedback. Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[marrone]

It's not a problem to keep one in a reef tank, plenty of people do, but the biggest think is you need to make sure the flow isn't that strong, and that they have an area of place where they can stay/attach to and that you can feed them. If the flow isn't that strong they should be able to stay away from any corals that could eat or sting them.

 

[anthonys51]

Also you have to feed them several times a day. They don?t have a stomach so your tank might start to have nutrients issues since it isn?t that big of a system

Also sea horses really do prefer cooler water than most of us keep our reef at

If you want to know a lot about sea horse I would look into pacific east. I would maybe call them and ask a ton a question. I found them to be very knowledgeable and very helpful


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[andylee]

And they can't handle much water movement and need a high concentration of live baby brine shrimp to eat.

 

[anthonys51]

Also make sure you start off with healthy ones. I wouldn?t buy them from lfs. Most carry wild ones. Only buy from a captive breed breeder


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[SteveZz]

As for flow it?s hard to say if it?s slow enough for them or not. As for feeding them. I assume they eat pods? I have a lot of pods on my glass even with the mandarin. Would that suffice as far as food for a Seahorse to survive?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Reef Krazy]

Seahorse Training Program -- get certified now! | Seahorse.com | Ocean Rider Kona Hawaii
http://seahorse.com/forum/seahorse-training-program-get-certified-now

Not sure if they still doing the seahorses training as I took it years ago but lots of great info..

 

[LongIslandPetVet]

I used to have them. They are pretty awesome but I had to hatch brine shrimp daily. They also benefit from multiple daily feedings. I got to the point where they used to breed and they would grow. They would need a dedicated tank. The clown might out compete them for food. Also when I had them I had to have sponges or mesh over the intake (HOB) filter. They need very little water movement.

 

[andylee]

Agree withLongIslandPetVet.
They are also much easier to keep in a very small tank (like 1-3 gallons) so that you can get the brine shrimp concentration high enough for them. Copepods may be too big.

 

[SteveZz]

Thanks everyone for the responses. It?s sounding like my smart move is to do one of two things.

1. Get a dedicated tank
2. Don?t get a Seahorse

Opting for 2 for now. Thanks all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[duromega]

Thanks everyone for the responses. It?s sounding like my smart move is to do one of two things.

1. Get a dedicated tank
2. Don?t get a Seahorse

Opting for 2 for now. Thanks all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

good choice.

 

[SteveZz]

good choice.

Just gotta convince the wife.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[andylee]

They are cool, though. I don't know if you are old enough, but these are the ones that used to be advertised in the back of comic books in the 1970s.

 

[SteveZz]

They are cool, though. I don't know if you are old enough, but these are the ones that used to be advertised in the back of comic books in the 1970s.

Not quite old enough for 70s but was there supposed to be a pic with this message?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[andylee]

No, but here's one.

https://goo.gl/images/mXoMYs

 

[SteveZz]

No, but here's one.

https://goo.gl/images/mXoMYs

Wow $2 for a mated pair. Sounds like a steal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Swims with the fishes]

My recommendation is to use nature as a general resource for compatibility in any close systems as most of the time lessons learned from nature are the most sustainable solutions in any marine systems. Even to the extent you may be an expert, in that case this approach may be ?doable? but not recomended, not sustainable on a long-term basis because the needs seahorses and that of corals are mutually exclusive to each other an may eventually catch up with you, I recommend you set up a separate tank (or avoid idea altogether if you are a beginner) for seahorses as they have very unique requirements and are not easily achieved in a closed system, even in isolated perfect conditions in closed environments.