Dear Judy:
When it comes to identifying the plants and macroalgae in your aquarium, there is an excellent article by Anthony Calfo titled the "Best Plants and Algae for Refugia — Part II "Vegetable Filters," which includes a number of pictures of the different macroalgae that are commonly kept in marine aquariums you would find useful. You can find his article online at the following URL, and it includes a link to the first part of the article, which also has a number of good pictures of macroalgae:
http://www.reefland.com/rho/0105/main2.php
When it comes to identifying various seahorse species, the following book is definitely the best work that’s ever been written on that subject:
TITLE: Seahorses: an Identification Guide to the World’s Species and their Conservation
AUTHOR: Sara A. Lourie, Amanda C..J. Vincent, and Heather J. Hall
PUBLISHER: Project Seahorse (1999)
ISBN: 0-9534693-0-1
REASON FOR IMPORTANCE: the first comprehensive guide to seahorse species world-wide. The heart of the book presents descriptions of each species supported by full illustrations, photographs, distribution maps and a pictorial key. Excellent identification key and introduction to meristic counts, morphometrics, taxonomy and classification. Unfortunately, there is no information at all on aquarium requirements, maintenance, feeding, breeding, rearing or aquaculture, which limits the usefulness of this book for hobbyists.
HARDCOVER/SOFTCOVER AVAILABILITY: Soft Cover (spiral bound) only, 214 pages
APPROXIMATE PRICE: $44.00
But if you are looking for outstanding photographs of all the different seahorse species that show what they look like, then Rudy Kuiter’s magnificent picture book is the one for you, Judy:
TITLE: Seahorses, Pipefishes and Their Relatives: a Comprehensive Guide to Syngnathiformes
AUTHOR: Rudie H. Kuiter
PUBLISHER: TMC Publishing (2000)
ISBN: 0-9539097-0-0
REASON FOR IMPORTANCE: detailed information on over 350 different species, including Seahorses, Pipefishes, Seadragons, Shrimpfishes, Trumpetfishes and Seamoths as well as a list of all known species of Sygnathids. With more than 1000 spectacular photographs, most taken in the fishes’ natural habitats, the book contains a wealth of information about habitats and behavior, including details of ideal aquarium set ups for each species. Contains the best illustrations of seahorses to date, including courtship, breeding, birth and predation. Unprecedented coverage of pipefishes. Again, there is very little information on the aquarium care and keeping of seahorses in this book, which limits its usefulness, but the photographs alone make it well worth the price.
HARDCOVER/SOFTCOVER AVAILABILITY: Hard Cover only, 240 pages
APPROXIMATE PRICE: $45.00
Both of those outstanding books are fairly expensive, but well worth the investment for the serious seahorse fanatic. But I would suggest looking up copies of these books at your local library before you decide if you want to own them or not.
Best of luck identifying your macroalgae and finding the perfect seahorses for your needs and interests, Judy!
Happy Trails!
Pete Giwojna
Ocean Rider, Inc. is an Organic Hawaiian-Based Seahorse Aqua-Farm & Aquarium that Follows Strict Good Farming Practices in Raising Seahorses and Other Aquatic Life.
