Seahorses In Reef

[Liquid360]

After MUCH research and soul searching I've decided to try moving my seahorses into my reef tank. Beyond the expected obstacles such as temp and the dangers of reef life my primary concern is my small S. Haddoni. I'm counting on, perhaps too much so, my alpha female clown hosting the carpet to scare off the seahorses before they get too close. This is a trial run... I do understand the inherent danger involved here. Ill update the thread as I give this a try...

 

[Genesis Corals]

Interesting...I will follow along to see how it goes.

 

[mcrbar910]

Interesting...I will follow along to see how it goes.

+1 I love your ponies, are they on frozen?

 

[nelson.jdautobody]

my lady wants me to do the same. im going to watch your progress before i make my decision, thanks for your bravery-lol

 

[Liquid360]

Day One: awoke this morning and rushed to see if they made it through day one. They did. They are still clinging to each other like two prehistoric caveman suddenly dropped into Times Square. Today ill have to piece together a new feeding station. Feeding will be perhaps the greatest challenge as they are such slow delicate feeders. One of the primary motivators in this move was, being such messy eaters, I liked the idea of a no-mess feeding operation. The reef will easily absorb the leftover mysis. Thus far I'm seeing no signs of predation of nor by the horses.

 

[Liquid360]

Day Two Photos.... female (Clarice) has begun exploring. RAPID color changing!
I've set the aquarium temp at 77F.

 

[Liquid360]

I should say to anyone interested in trying this that as I go I'm testing the individuals, Clarice and Hannibal, for abilities, ex. To insure they are strong enough to prevent being sucked into a powerhead I placed them directly against the powerhead and made sure that they could swim away. Both individuals passed the powerhead test. Also this morning they have both proven ability to seek out the dead spots in the current where MYSIS, fed to rest of tank, has settled. I believe a feeding station might not be necessary. Time will tell.

 

[Djtonton]

cant wait to see how this goes! tagging along

 

[Liquid360]

Just to give a visual context here's a wide photo. They thus far have shown no interest in areas of the tank I've deemed as dangerous. You'll see Clarice hanging on the power cord in the top left. Hannibal you can barely see his white saddle on the bottom left behind the yellow gorgonians.

 

[Djtonton]

how big is the reef tank you have them in now?

 

[Liquid360]

Sorry, shoulda mentioned that. It's a 60g cube with a 30g sump and around 85lbs live rock.

how big is the reef tank you have them in now?

 

[Mrfresh]

Very nice, putting seahorses in a reef isn't impossible.
One of the pet stores I worked at a long time ago how 2 in a 200 gallon with tons of fish and corals.
They were fine somehow they fund there own food source

 

[Liquid360]

Thank you!! yeah I've no doubt that I'm far from the first one to try it but I've seen very little here on reefers first hand accounts. The rule of thumb seems to be species only tanks. It was just soooo messy though!!! I also have the tendency to anthropomorphize which has led me to believe that life in a 30g tank alone must be boring. They seem to truly enjoy keeping an eye on their surroundings so I like the idea that they have more activity and things to watch. This of course isn't rational but still... so long as they're happy and I'm happy...

 

[Chrissy]

Not Seahorses, but I have had a Dragonface Pipefish in my reef for a few weeks now and she's been doing great! Good luck with your horsies!

 

[casey187]

have been considering this but have been told no repeatedly by all lfs and anyone that can speak. will be following and hope it works out well.

 

[eliramos]

i think this is awesome!

 

[Liquid360]

This is why I'm trying it. I've been told the same only I've been able to get very few 1st hand accounts. I can defiantly understand how it might not work in certain situations but so far as sweeping generalizations I don't see why not. I've never been one one to learn lessons the easy way... we'll see how this goes. Unfortunately, I've got the time to constantly monitor the situation. Fingers crossed. At the very least ill end up with a firsthand account of why its a bad idea lol

have been considering this but have been told no repeatedly by all lfs and anyone that can speak. will be following and hope it works out well.

 

[GrandeGixxer]

Like!

 

[AquaticallyDistracted22]

Nice to see someone not only giving it a try, but as you said, actually putting a first hand account of it out there. As some have already stated, I've been interested, but not enough to take the risk given what others have told me. Good luck

 

[Connie]

I'm following along and will live vicariously through your tank. I would love to do that, but I have a constant small tsunami in mine...lol