seahorses or predatory reef?

[tucker]

im going to purchase another tank shortly and was wondering what you guys think would be easier to care for. ive been reading on seahorse.org and it really seems to be alot of care required but i really like the horses. if i go pred reef, im thinking eel, lion, and possibly an angler.

i guess, i know the seahorse tank is going to be more to care for, but talk me out of it lol. or convince me otherwise.

[tucker]

btw, the tank is a 20g long with pc lighting, mag 3 return, and 20g refugium for pods...

[Richard]

A 20 long is too small for an eel, lion and angler.

A 20 long isn't a great seahorse tank either. A taller tank would be better for seahorses so you'd want to stick with a smaller species.

[Richard]

I think this would work out for your tank...
1 Pair of these (http://www.seahorsesource.com/barbouri.html)
1 Pair of these (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=188)
1 of these (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=96)
1 of these (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=202)

Better than a 20 gallon predator tank IMHO.

[saltcreepette]

thats funny, I was currently torn between the very same decision. I have a 37g and I thought captive bred seahorses would be ideal, but their kinda 'spensive! so I decided to get a small triggerfish and let him be my 'pet fish that thinks he's a dog.' Probably a little more entertaining than seahorses (that's what Im telling myself anyways.) it depends if you want relaxing or personality. let us know what you decide.

[chrisbenavides]

I had to make that choice several months ago (I was always on seahorse.org), and decided that seahorses were my choice. I got them from seahorsesource.org (great seahorses!!!) I got the H. Kuda (one male and two females). They are not hard at all to take care of. No different than taking care of a clownfish. Just feed twice a day frozen Hikari mysis. Mine have been havng fry lately and I usually sell them to person who is up to the challenge of raising fry. So you also have option of making money to cover your expense. They are not that expensive. ($35ish).

[saltcreepette]

well you are starting to shoot holes in my idea of having triggerfish in my tank. thanks a lot chrisbenavides. ;)

[tucker]

richard,

are dwarf seahorses harder to take care of than regular seahorses? im thinking dwarf for the fact that the smaller the sh's are, the bigger that 20g seems lol.

i know tall is better for sh but i dont have many options with this tank because of the height. i saw some posts on sh.org that people are putting 1-2 sh's in glass fish bowls so i figured a 20 long couldnt be that much worse.

if i do the sh route, im thinking maybe 3-4 dwarfs and a pipefish or 2. a small clean up crew and plenty of greenery.

[loans_n_fishes]

Don't dwarfs eat only live food? That may make things a little more of a challenge.

[Richard]

CB dwarf SH's are supposed to be easy to take care of as long as you don't mind hatching bbs EVERY single day after day after day after day....Too much for me but some people enjoy it I guess.