need input on starting sea horse tank

I am really interested in hearing advice on those that have kept seahorses. Size of tank, filtration, tank mates, etc. I have done a lot of reading regarding their keeping and would like to have input from people that have kept them and their specific recommendations.

 

Seahorses... oh where to begin.

Depending whether you do Dwarfs or regulars is a whole different story on tank size. As for regulars, I have kept H. Kudas.

Make sure the tank is at least 30G per pair IMO. and tank has at least 18" in height.

Captive Bred Seahorses are best to start with. Make sure they are eating Frozen Mysis and Brine.

Low flow- Good filtration. and Posts for them to hold on to work well. Lots of different macro algae for copepods to hide and grow a population.

As for tank mates, most fish are out of the question. They either compete for the ponies food. which they need to eat constant, usually 2-3 times a day is what we did.

Most corals are not recommended as well as they sting usually. Leathers and mushrooms are usually the closest you can get. However having a more lagoon like tank with colorful macro algae makes a more natural enviroment and you can make it look pretty awesome with the many macro algaes available.

With posts for them to hide, we used Mangroves pants. They work well and also help with filtration to an extent.

We have had seahorses for about a year and half now. They do well. We purchased them from Drs Foster and Smiths Liveaquaria's Divers Den.

 

seahorese cont'd.

I am glad to hear that you have had yours for such a long time. If you had to do it again, would you keep them? I'm wondering if their care is very time consuming? oops...just noticed I spelled seahorse wrong title....

 

Do it again, I probably wouldnt, now they are great creatures, Just not my type, Slow moving Half the time ours hid lol.

 

That's exactly the input I was looking for. I tend to like things that are good to watch for color (great fish) and corals/anemones. I'm thinking I may opt for starting a reef instead of seahorses....they are so cool though but....if you don't see them most of the time, hmmm......the idea of having a mated pair sounds enticing but then that involves raising fry etc....