Seahorses?

Question

I recently went to my local pet shop (just to look around at some of the new animals they got in, lemurs, monkeys, etc.) and they had seahorses.

Does anyone have any idea how to raise them? I'd rely on the clerk, but to be honest, 90% of them are idiots.

How big of a tank do they need?
Freshwater?
How about plants?

Thanks!

Answer 1

All seahorses are saltwater fish. Most of what you see in pet stores (especially if they're under $100 each) are wild-caught fish that you'll have trouble feeding and keeping alive. The tank dimensions will vary by the species - pygmys are fine in a 10 gallon tank, while others will need something much larger. A saltwater plant or coral skeleton would be appreciated by most as a hitching post. They need a tank that's taller than wide - hexagonal tanks are perfect for them. They aren't very strong swimmers, so the current can't be too fast and they don't do well with too many kinds of tankmates that will out-swim them to food. They also are picky eaters and need something like frozen enriched mysis shrimp to eat. They require very high water quality and frequent feedings, two things that are mutually exclusive in most home tanks. They also don't have very long life spans. They might breed in a home aquarium, but the fry of most are next to impossible to raise.

For more info, see these websites:
http://www.seahorse.org/
http://www.oceanrider.com/

ADDITION - RE: PeeTee's comments - As of the April 2007 issue, Horse Forum was still a column in FAMA.

Answer 2

That is good you are doing research prior to purchase. A few things that have not been mentioned here. A sea horse needs a mature salt tank to even be considered for keeping. A mature tank is one where the bacteria isn't just cycled but matured (around 6 months or more)

Secondly, a sea horse only lives around two years in captivity. They are slow eaters have no stomaches and need to be fed 6-8 times per day, even then it doesn't ensure they will eat. Sometimes they will watch their food (brine shrimp) swim by several times before they attempt to eat it.

They have strict water requirements and very few tank mates other than more sea horses.

Tank requirements depend on what kind of sea horse you choose. As is with the plants.

Seahorse.com and seahorse.org are the best sites to describe the seahorses and care.

Word of advice, most reputable pet stores will not sell seahorses. Most are on the endangered species list. Even if they are a captive breed, most still will not sell them. That should be your first warning with the correct info you will get from the clerk.

Although they are beautiful creatures, unless you are an experienced salt water keeper, I would suggest going to the pet shop to enjoy them.

Good luck.

Answer 3

First off they're saltwater fish. They don't compete well for food and are carnivores. They do best in a species only tank and do best as a mated pair or a small group. Minimum tank size is 50 gallons , the taller, the better. They need a minimum of 16 inches in height.
If they're tank-bred as opposed to wild caught you can feed them frozen mysis shrimp instead of live saltwater feeder shrimp. They have 2 small feedings per day.
They definitely want plantings. They are more likely to wrap their tail around seagrass and just stay still then swim around.
Probably the coolest thing though is their spawning! The male will change colour and puff up his pouch. If he can get her to fall for his seahorsey charm, she will deposit the eggs into his pouch! He carries them around and about 2 weeks later, 50 - 400 replicas of their parents :)

Answer 4

Sea Horses are saltwater animals. They are very challenging for beginners. They are not cheap,and their foods are not cheap.You are very lucky to have 10% of the pet store clerks in your area to be above the idiot level.The ones that have been around long enough to know anything about fish have learned to lie to sell fish and tanks,so they can keep their jobs. If you determine that you must start with Sea Horses they, and you, will be much happier if you can find help from an experienced aquarist. I believe that there is a national organization dedicated to keeping them as pets. I can't remember the name but I know they are very much against the sale of wild-caught animals,because of poor survival rates and the availability of captive raised stock that is superior to wild-caught. If you can find a copy of Freshwater And Marine Aquarium Magazine there is(or was) a column dedicated to Sea Horses,this might be a good starting point for your research.It will take a lot of study on your part,but it could be very rewarding,they are certainly wonderful pets.--------Good luck.------PeeTee

Answer 5

Seahorses are very hard to keep alive. Also expensive.
About $100.00 for each one here.
Tank about 10 gallon for 1 seahorse.
They do better in pairs. So a 20 - 55 gallon is best.
They are saltwater creatures.
Standard salwater tank set up will run about $500 for a 20 gallon.
They like live coral. That is very hard to keep alive. And expensive.
They also need special food and vitamins. More $$$$.
Also, you can't put them in with other saltwater fish.
They do not do well at all. They most be by themselves.

Answer 6

Sea horses are really hard to raise, they are saltwater which you have to keep in mind and I dont recomend you keep them with any other species of fish. You have to pay special attention to things such as current in you tank and temp because literally these things are the wooses of the sea.

Answer 7

Well, any salt water pet is hard to care for. For example, before you purchase any salt water creature, u have to have a tank already prepared w/ an enviroment established for at least a week before placing the animals inside. Sea horses are very gentle, sensitive & delicate creatures.. They're one of the hardest species to keep in captivity and require special diets & optimal conditions. Sooo, if you're going to buy them, be prepared to put a lot of time & care to keep them healthy. To be honest, I wouldn't buy a sea-horse b/c they are endangered in the wild, & buying them only encourages people to further destroy their natural population. Buttt, if you're intent on getting them, Buy a book on taking care of Sea-horses before you purchase any. It should put things in perspective.

Answer 8

uncertain why, yet this is a link that would help. the female deposits the eggs into the male that's how he fertilizes the eggs is the terrific clarification i found. good success.

Answer 9

yeah they seem to be expensive i would try possibley Cockatiels maybe? i have two thier great!! Good luck!!