fostering pregnant large seahorse

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by schackmel, Aug 15, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. schackmel

    schackmel Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    Messages:
    3,153
    Location:
    St. Louis
    The LFS that Inwall works at has a very large, very pregnant male seahorse that is about ready to deliver at any moment. We have brought him home in hopes of having a little nursery of seahorses. Right now we have the male in a small tank with a sponge filter, a dead gorgornian and some cheato. We have brine shrimp hatchery and a large stock right now.
    Will post pics and update as things begin to roll! I was a little worried yesterday that he might have been thrown into labor moving him, but luckily he hasnt
     
    schackmel, Aug 15, 2011
    schackmel, Aug 15, 2011
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2010
    Messages:
    4,427
    Location:
    SE South Dakota
    Sweet!

    Good luck with the brood, hope it all goes well. Will be following along. :)
     
    reefmonkey, Aug 15, 2011
    reefmonkey, Aug 15, 2011
    #2
    1 person likes this.
  3. anb

    anb Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Messages:
    377
    Location:
    Texas
    Good luck! I'm sure if anyone can do this ya'll can. I'm surprised he didn't go into labor.. you must've babied the crap out of him.
     
    anb, Aug 15, 2011
    anb, Aug 15, 2011
    #3
    1 person likes this.
  4. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    Messages:
    10,056
    Location:
    Northwest Ohio
    Awesome! I can't wait to see this. Pictures are a must! :)
     
    Seano Hermano, Aug 15, 2011
    Seano Hermano, Aug 15, 2011
    #4
    1 person likes this.
  5. cynster

    cynster Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2011
    Messages:
    28
    Oooh good luck! Do you know what species? :D Pics! :D
     
    cynster, Aug 15, 2011
    cynster, Aug 15, 2011
    #5
    1 person likes this.
  6. rayjay

    rayjay Gigas Clam

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2004
    Messages:
    886
    Location:
    London, ON, Canada
    What species is the seahorse?
    If it is one like reidi or kuda, the fry will be pelagic and usually require rotifers to start off with.
    Pelagic fry are much more difficult to raise than the benthic fry of erectus.
     
    rayjay, Aug 15, 2011
    rayjay, Aug 15, 2011
    #6
    1 person likes this.

    7. Click Here!

  7. schackmel

    schackmel Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    Messages:
    3,153
    Location:
    St. Louis
    it is a h. kelloggii i think. i am fairly sure he is maybe a week before he will deliver. I did go and purchase some rotifers today to have on hand just in case he does deliver before our baby brine is hatched His pouch is getting bigger everyday but from what i understand it can take up to 40 days for gestation (and I know he hasnt been that pregnant for that long as I would have thought one of us at the store would have noticed it. I in particular spend a lot of time looking at the seahorse tank trying to get them on frozen food and just watching them!

    I will try to get some pictures up later tonight of him and his current habitate! thanks all for the help and encouragement!
     
    schackmel, Aug 16, 2011
    schackmel, Aug 16, 2011
    #7
  8. rayjay

    rayjay Gigas Clam

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2004
    Messages:
    886
    Location:
    London, ON, Canada
    If it is kelloggi, then it is doing good to get to reproduction stage as they have a very poor reputation for surviving in the hobby.
    I don't know if they are pelagic fry or benthic fry but as the kelloggi is one of the larger seahorses, it's possible that even if pelagic you may not need the rotifers if their fry are large as well.
    Gestation period can be more than fourty days if kept in cooler temperature water.
     
    rayjay, Aug 16, 2011
    rayjay, Aug 16, 2011
    #8