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Hi Pete,
My seahorse isn\’t going back to the frozen mysis very well but he\’s still snicking up the live shrimp when he gets the chance. In my other saltwater fish tank I sometimes add a drop of garlic extract that really entices them to eat but wasn\’t sure if that is ok for the horses. My other problem is that when I put the live shrimp in, the firefish and the gramma go after them, even after they\’ve eaten the frozen mysis. Those two fish are normally pretty slow, but they can move REALLY fast when they go after the live shrimp! This got me to thinking about moving the fish into my other tank and only keeping the cleaner crew with the seahorse. We plan on adding a second reidi very soon and when the weather warms up we\’d like to order a pair of mustangs. This would allow us to add as many live shrimp as we wanted without fear of the fish eating them all. What do you think?
Thanks,
ErikDear Erik:
Sure, if you want to add a drop of garlic extract to the frozen Mysis as an odor attractant and appetite stimulant, that’s just fine. There are a lot of seahorse keepers who resort to the ol’ garlic trick now and then and I have never heard that it has had any adverse effect on their ponies. It might be helpful in your situation since Brazilian seahorses (Hippocampus reidi) are notoriously finicky eaters.
You’re quite correct — firefish and Royal Grammas are normally very calm, easy-going fish that are slow, deliberate feeders but they are sure more than willing to make an exception for live Mysis shrimp! If they are claiming the lion’s share of the live Mysis, relocating them to one of your other tanks so your H. reidi can fatten up a bit on the live food makes a lot of sense.
That would clear the way for you to add another H. reidi and a pair of Mustangs (H. erectus) if you like, and then the seahorses would certainly only have to compete among themselves for the live Mysis. That is certainly a viable option and I don’t see any reason not to give it a try, sir.
Best wishes with all your fishes, Erik!
Happy Trails!
Pete GiwojnaThanks Pete. Since tomorrow is my weekly water-change day, I’ll make the switch then.
Thanks again,
Erik
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