Seahorse stocking levels vs bioload

[Polymate3D]

Hello everyone

Firstly I want to say I haven't kept seahorses yet, but doing extensive research and preparing myself. I have a 120L aquarium and intend on setting it up with a pair of Erectus seahorses. I have spoken to a local breeder who has suggested 2 or maybe 3 should be good. I am happy with this.

My question is, are the suggestions of a pair per 30 gallons come from the actual space they'll need/want, or from the waste load generated from there poor digestive system, and the expectation that the owner won't have a solution for this?

The question comes due to owning dwarf lionfish in the past and I had nutrient export dealt with through a strong refugium on a opposite cycle to the main lights, and so instead of having 1 in a 30 gallon I had 2 and they got on great, but it went against the typical suggestions.

Thanks for any feedback from seahorse owners in advance!

- Paul

 

[littlefoxx]

Also curious as well, would love a pair in my biocube!

 

[bluemon]

It’s a bit of both.

As long as they have proper vertical space, they wouldn’t mind a bit of overcrowdedness.

But the water quality will definitely suffer.

If you had a great sump and refugium for example, and the total volume of water is let’s say 60+ gallons, I can see 4-5 erectus horses being fine in a 30g.

 

[Polymate3D]

It’s a bit of both.

As long as they have proper vertical space, they wouldn’t mind a bit of overcrowdedness.

But the water quality will definitely suffer.

If you had a great sump and refugium for example, and the total volume of water is let’s say 60+ gallons, I can see 4-5 erectus horses being fine in a 30g.

Thanks for the reply and your insight

My intentions are to get a pair once I have everything about the tank considered, including cooling for the summer months, and then once I have then, keep a close eye on the water quality to get my eye in on how it is doing. It's good info to know its a focus more on the water quality than it is happiness.

I am reading that due to there small stomachs and short tract for food, along with our habits of feeding 2 or 3 times a day maximum makes it more of a problem. I will be looking into one of my projects being a DIY fridge and dosing system to help hopefully produce a consistent stable food output over the course of the day. Then just wash it out and put new food in each day.

My aquarium in question is 63cm long, 38cm wide, and 55cm tall. No rush for them though, so hence this question and possibly more as I go.

Thanks again!