Seahorse ID please....

Global · Sep 15, 2014

Is anyone able to ID this stunning seahorse?
Are they easy to keep and are they readily available on the market?
Would love to have some like this for my up and coming tank.
Cheers

pscott99 · Sep 15, 2014

That is a beauty. I want one so bad but they require their own special tank envrionment and feeding needs. I have read enough to believe I could not keep one. A coral tank for example will not work due to the flow.

Global · Sep 16, 2014

Im In the process now doing a tank up for seahorses, I have a journal In the members tanks thread.

But im only just starting

Global · Sep 16, 2014

Ive been told that this could be Hippocampus erectus, any ideas??

reefs4fun · Nov 17, 2014

It looks very much like a h. erectus with elongated cerri. I have had h. erectus over the past 5 years and recently acquired my first juvenile with elongated cirri. Check the photo at https://www.southwatchseahorse.com/Stellar-Specimens/ for comparison. You might also want to send a pic to Pete Giwojna of Ocean Rider at [email protected] for definitive identification. He is an experienced and very helpful marine biologist with extensive seahorse experience. In fact, you might want to ask Pete about his free online Seahorse Training Course. I took it several years ago and still refer back to my materials from time to time. It covers everything you'd ever want/need to know about keeping seahorses including setting up a seahorse friendly habitat, different types of seahorses, things to look for when selecting a seahorse, compatible tankmates, diseases and illnesses (prevention/symptoms/treatment), breeding, etc. You end up with a free online reference book and he provides excellent continuing support and advice with seahorse-specific issues, all with a very quick and complete response.

My juvenile came from Southwatch Seahorse Farm. If you go to their website you can email or call Jon and he will gladly send you photos of what he has available. Dan and Abby at SeahorseSource.com also have excellent stock and are very helpful. Both sell only captive bred seahorses that have been specifically trained to eat frozen mysis. And yes, the h. erectus is one of the easiest seahorses to keep and comes in a variety of colors.

Best wishes!