Can seahorses be a pet?

Question

Can seahorses be owned as pets? if so what would you need and what are some websites.

Answer 1

They can, but they are often difficult to feed - especially if they are wild-caught. They are also very demanding of excellent water quality. They can't be kept with many tankmates because they move so slowly - a more aggressive feeder will cause them to slowly starve.

If you are interested, try to buy one that's captive bred. They'll be a lot more expensive, but will have a much better chance of surviving.

Here's a link to a group that's been producing captive-bred horses now for years: http://www.oceanrider.com/

Answer 2

It's tough to say whether or not seahorses make good pets. An experienced aquarist, with plenty of time to care for them, can successfully keep and even breed seahorses. Seahorse must feed constantly and will often eat only live food. This forces the aquarist to care for not only the seahorses, but their food as well.

Additionally, most seahorses sold in pet stores are wild caught. This raises some conservation concerns, as more and more of the wild populations are being fished for the aquarium trade. It is not recommended that you try keeping seahorses without prior experience. Your best bet is to observe and enjoy them in a public aquarium or in their natural habitat.

http://www.allaboutpetswa.com/Seahorses.htm is one link.

Answer 3

Seahorses can be kept as pets, but they are very delicate, costly & time consuming. here is the best site for information about keeping seahorses, there is a forum on this site as well, they are a treasure trove of information about seahorses.

http://www.seahorse.org/

I agree that captive bred seahorses are the best bet as pets, most have been trained to eat frozen mysis shrimp. Keeping captive bred seahorses does not decimate wild populations.

They do best when kept in pairs or small groups in species only tanks.

Seahorses require cooler temperatures than most reef tanks (between 68-72 f)

As for tank needs, that really depends on the species. If you are talking H. zosterae (dwarf seahorses) you can keep a whole herd in a 10 gal tank

But if you are talking the larger breeds like H. kelloggi, H. kuda, or H. redi you will need a much larger system. At least 50 gal per pair plus an extra 10 gal for each additional horse. The larger species need taller tanks. It would be beneficial for the horses if you had a good size refugium to breed copopods as a supplemental food source. You will also need a place to house the fry if you get a breeding pair... they are prolific breeders. A good protien skimmer that does not put out micro-bubbles is also helpful to keep the tank clean. Access to RO DI water, like a unit hooked up to the tank itself or even to the kitchen sink, these guys need pristine water, even the smallest ammount of nitrate can cause problems, so treated tap water is not going to work for seahorses. Also all of the basic marine equipment, such as test kits, marine salt, hydrometer, thermometer, depending upon where you live you may also need a chiller.
A uv sterilizer wouldnt hurt either.This is in no way a comprehensive list, there are those who keep seahorses with out all the fancy fandangle whit just a a typical h.o.b. filter with lots of bio balls, You can get alot more information & opinions at seahorse.org forums.

They are expensive critters to keep & maintain. A pair of captive bred seahorses of a larger species will cost you between $150- $300 depending on species, where you get them and how mature they are. They will also need "hitching posts" to wrap thier tails around when they are not swimming.

You will also want to aquire these meds before you get your seahorses so you won't have to delay treatment if they fall ill
"Neomycin and triple sulfa (or Neo3)
Diamox
Triple antibiotic or Biobandage
Methylene Blue
Betadine
IV catheter sleeve 18-24 gauge

Recommended often:
Metronidazole (flagyl)
Formalin"
This information is from- http://forum.seahorse.org/index.php?showtopic=29819

good luck to you!

Answer 4

Yes they can, however if you are not prepared to care for them, they are not for you. Sea horses live only 2 years in captivity, even the commercial bread ones. You will need a MATURE tank. Not just one that has been cycled. One that has been up and running for more than 6 months. Optimal water conditions are a must. These fish are very fragile and do not do well with swings in water temperatures, ph or salinity. they are very slow eaters and have no stomaches. They need to be fed 5-6 times per day.

www.seahorse.com/Aquarium_Life/Care_Sheets/
www.seahorse.org/library/articles/dwarfKeeping.shtml

Answer 5

seahorses are really easy to keep with discapline
most of the problems arise because people dont take the time to prepare.
seahorses need clean water with relatively low water flow, so you need some kind of canister filter to keep the water aerated, and they need appropriate food, something living at first, slow moving and ample

i feed most of my seahorses bloodworms and mysis shrimp but they all started out with brine shrimp to acclimate
i also keep the tanks packed with live rock and macroalgae so they get natural foods too

they are slow and tend to be shy so they like living with other seahorses but not with fish, and you have to quarentine them in yet another tank before putting new ones with your older ones

ora sells seahorses they are captive bred and healthier
boycott wildcaught seahorses

Answer 6

Keeping Seahorses As Pets

Answer 7

They can be kept as fish yes, however unless you are an experienced aquarist, I wouldn't recomend it. As was mentioned, captive breeds only. Most reputable fish stores will not even sell captive breeds.

Seahorse.com is one of the best sites.

Also as someone stated, you need a tank that is matured not just cycled.

Answer 8

Sure, and to my point of view they are not that hard if you know the basics of marine aquariums. Don't keep with aggressive feeders. You must feed live food (arteria shrimp). They require time..
I have 3 in my office in a 5 gallon tank with good water filtration and frequent water changes.

Answer 9

seahorses can make good pets, but it can be disgusting. after the seahorses mate, the female gives the male seahorses all of their eggs. later the male hatches them so it looks like he's shooting babies out of his area...it can also be difficullt with the water temperature and other things

Answer 10

yeah but don't buy any that have been cuaght from the wild.