The tank sizes listed above are the minimum size recommended for a single pair and is not a optimal habitat for any of these species. Seahorses will use as much tank space as you can give them, they just do it more slowly than many other genera of fish. It is also much easier to maintain stable water parameters in larger tanks. Seahorses are predatory fish with no stomach. Because of this it has been estimated that about 30% of what they ingest is released back into the tank as waste. A 58 gallon tank, with a 29 gallon sump makes a wonderful seahorse tank for some of the larger species.
Water parameters should be carefully monitored especially when first adding fish to a tank. Your specific gravity can range from 1.020-1.023, pH should be 8.2, ammonia 0, nitrites ideally should be 0, nitrates are generally not a problem for seahorses.
Good flow is essential in a seahorse tank to aid in flushing detritus into the filter. A turnover rate of 10-20 times the tank volume per hour is recommended. Circulation pumps can also be added, along with open ended airlines. Yes seahorses actually seek out areas of higher flow, hitch in them and swim into a strong current. This does require that intakes on pumps be covered with a fine enough mesh so that they can not get their tails caught by a impeller. Flare nozzles can be used on the returns to help diffuse some of the flow. The key is higher flow that is diffused throughout the tank.
A CB female dancing with her own reflection in front of a return pushing about 350 GPH.
Reply With Quote
