Seahorses

Laura and Jim will be hosting the May meeting this Saturday the 12th and it will be the usual of food, drinks, raffle and fun.
 
Doors will be open at 6:00 pm for social talk and the meeting will start at 7:00.  Parking gets a little tight and the city says you can't park on 4th but there is a parking lot a block away.   Meeting is usually held in the backyard so feel free to bring your favorite lawn chair, weather permitting of course.

If you need address/directions, contact a club member.

Best if you park at Mini Mall (where the spaghetti establishment use to be)
 
You will get to see his new frag tank set up in the making.
 
Hope to see you there!

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[MrsBode]

I'm starting a seahorse tank, and I want someone to join in the adventure with me.  Come on, it'll be fun!!! So, Who wants to have seahorses?

[Ed]

What type of Seahorses?

I love em.   Its tempting!

[jerryB]

I saw a very nice tall glass hex tank at Goodwill in Kennewick for 12.50. I was thinking about getting it for a seahorse tank but decided I have enough going on as it is and walked away. If you dont have a tank yet you should check it out. As you know a tall tank is better suited for the little guys.

[MrsBode]

I haven't chosen a type yet.  AT usually has erectus and kuda, and the internet makes all things possible.  I have a 29 gal. I'm cycling.  Ed, you've talked about seahorses a few times... and pipefish...  it's going to be fun!

[Ed]

Erectus and  Reidi have the best survival rate from what I have read.  I have a computer disc on Seahorses you are welcome to borrow if I can find it.

Tank raised of course have a better chance of survival.   If breeder has already started seahorse on prepared foods  your success rate will highly improve.

Pipefish are awesome.   I had blue striped.  They are agressive compared to other seahorses.   I have also had Banded pipefish.   I liked both.   Mike at Aqua Tropics gave me a deal on buying 4 banded pipefish. 

[BEAU]

http://www.seahorse.com/

This company is well known for the their  horses and captive breeding also having them raised on frozen is a big plus.

[MrsBode]

I had been looking at getting them from there.  I was also looking at seahorsesource.com, or ordering through Aqua Tropics.  I haven't made up my mind, I figured I'd wait to see if anyone else wanted to start a seahorse tank, too.  I do know that I want tank bred seahorses, and I'm thinking I want either H. Erectus or H. Kuda, but I haven't decided yet.

[Ed]

If it were me I would do Erectus.   It has a much better reputation for survival. 


My idea would be to set up a tank full of colorful Macro Algae.  Established a good population of Pods, shrimp.   A nice piece of Tonga Rock for Seahorses to hang on to.   So they can ambush their food.   Heater shielded, nothing in there that could sting seahorses, slow but wide flow so food will flow by seahorses.   A lighting system that can keep Macro Algae thriving.   Make every effort to keep salinity around 1.025 or close.   Make every effort to keep temps as stable as possible.  Have foods like Mysis readily available.    It just sounds too easy to me. 

I like the pairing of easy going pipefish with seahorses as labeled from Beau's link.   Dang, that sounds so Tempting!

[BEAU]

http://www.seahorse.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=84&zenid=ddkr86sggl8bi13rpc9mbahpm2

This is also on the sea horse site.  I'd say this is a decent model of what i'd set my tank up at.  Ed is perfectly correct with wide spread slow flow with lots of pods and macro algae. I would also like to add that air bubbles should never enter the display tank no matter what size, that could result in a very sick sea horse.

[MrsBode]

I've been wanting to do seahorses for a few years now, and I actually set up my 55 to accomodate them.  However, I'm starting with a dedicated species tank for them.  I have done quite a bit of research.  As far as tank setup, I need to find a way to block access to my heater, decide on which macroalgae I want (low light, nutrient export vs. ornamental) and decide whether or not I want to use a protein skimmer (because of the risk of bubble issues).  I've gone through seahorse.com's lessons twice, so if anyone's interested, I have the compilation of lessons available to them.  Mostly, I'm at the waiting game, and gleaning info off of other seahorse owners.  I'd love to hear all of your experiences.

[Ed]

Chantel,
       You can put a piece of PVC with holes around your heater or plastic screen mesh.   I used PVC.

[Ed]

Make sure you read about each type of Seahorses demands.   Seahorses being ambush feeders demand different sizes of aquariums for a reason.  Smaller species like Zost.   usually require smaller enviroments to ambush food. 

[BEAU]

Up for a drive ? wow perfect


http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/for/2233912754.html

[MrsBode]

Wish I had seen that before I set up my tank.  Looks like a great deal.  Currently my tank is all brown/orange.  Can't wait to finish cycling.

[Ed]

I have a article on Seahorses I  will post in Members forum to share.   I need to get done with Pipefish first.    Get to it when done I promise.