Seahorse in reef tank

[joe_ayres]

Just curious would a seahorse survive in a reef tank if an area was set up for it thanks in advance

 

[vlangel]

Usually reef conditions are not suitable for seahorses. The first thing that comes to my mind is seahorses need cool temperatures, below 75 degrees so they don't get bacterial infections. Most reefs run hotter than that. Secondly, seahorses can not be with any stinging coral and many reef fish are too aggressive to live with seahorses. Third, seahorses are a dirty fish and their wastes fosters algae growth. Seahorse tank are set up maintenance friendly to deal with the algae growth, (scraping the glass behind the rock work ect...) I do read some folks who do it but I also read more folks who run into problems as a result of it.

 

[redfishbluefish]

First off, +1 to @vlangel 's list.

I'd like to add two more to this list:

4. Seahorses don't do well in high flow coral tanks....they like calmer waters.
5. Seahorses can not compete to aggressive eating fish.....slow and picky eaters....and ideally fed multiple times during the day.

Bottom line, just not a good mix!

 

[joe_ayres]

Ok that makes a lot of sense thanks for your reply love sea horses but love my reef so I think sea horses will have to wait thanks guys

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Could always get two tanks! :)

 

[JedClampett]

You could do pipe fish.