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Hello all, seriously thinking of starting up a seahorse species tank in my 37G. tall tank. The tanks setup with the following: PC 80W Satellite dual bulb fixture, an Aquarclear 70 hang on filter, a Bak-Pak skimmer with pre-skimmer to protect them, a nice sand bed of about 1-1/2\" and live rock with a few polyps. Tank has been running for about 6-8 months and was just housing an aggresive fish from my main tank we could not get rid of. Water parameters as as follows:
0 Ammonia, 0 nitrates, 420 Calcium, 1.024 SG, 8.4 PH, etc……..The inhabitants in this tank are about 15 snails of a different variety including astrea, conch, nassirus, turbos. 12 mixed blue/red dwarf hermits. A med. coral banded shrimp, and a strawberry crab. The only thing in there that I would remove as it stands would be the pink haitian anenome planted on live rock. If any of the other of the tanks tenants were a problem let me know, I have seen my CB shrimp pinch the anenome from time to time when it gets curious, the strawberry crab is a peaceful big baby and runs from a shadow.
Would a pair of either mustangs/Sunbursts be a good start and or a mix of the two? Maybe getting a good total of 3 eventually……..
Also, could anyone besides the \"nets\" reputation, and my really liking this site and their customer service tell me the difference with this companies CB seahorses and others? I noticed they are doing this breeding for years, but I can get from other websites Kuda CB horses for half the price- ($35-50) …..I dont mind spending the money at all, just wondering if theres a difference, plus being I am in NJ and they have to literally travel half-way around the globe.
Post edited by: DCFishE, at: 2007/02/12 21:01
Post edited by: DCFishE, at: 2007/02/12 21:58
Hi DCFishE,
Welcome! Your tank as well as your plan sounds just fine and would make a lovely home for 2 to 3 pairs of erectus. I would start with 2 pairs. I believe there is a special which includes 1 pair of Sunbursts and 1 pair of Mustangs.
OR has been breeding seahorses particularly erectus longer than any of the other companies currently offering CB seahorses. In addition they are certified by the State of Hawaii as a high health facility, which means they have to adhere to very strict guidelines in order to meet the criteria and maintain the certification. Please do have a look at the About Us link, if you have not previously. You will find more information there.
The distance the horses have to travel should not really be an issue unless you live close enough to pick them up. OR and most others ship overnight unless you live in a remote area which does not have overnight delivery and then your seahorses would be in transit 2 days. This will be the case with who ever you order from.
HTH,
Leslie
Thanks for the response,,,,,I was thinking of a pair to start being Im new to it. Ive been keeping marine fish for about 8-9 years, but….never like to go all into something Im new too, no less such beautiful and expensive creatures……..unless there is a better chance of their survival or health with more up front……..or any slight chance of problems adding 1/2 more later?
And I was just looking around and not to mention competitors but found Drs. site offers yellow/black Kudus tank bred for around $40-50 ea. They arent promised to be mated. They have though been using the same dealer for 3 years. Ive ordered from them before for inverts/corals with good results. This site is expensive but I often like to pay more for reputable dealers with better livestock as is the case with my LFS. The fish are often $20-40 more per, however, they are always healthy and never drugged or come from shady waters. So that is why I asked……..just wanted some opinions. Thanks.DCFishE,
I’ve heard liveaquaria’s Sh aren’t exactly what they are advertised to be. I have no expierence with there Sh tho, so that’s hearsay.
I urge you to purchase your first pair of Sh from a reputable breeder! You will be much happier in the long run. OR’s horses are… a bit on the pricey side. I’ve been very happy with mine. Purchasing from a reputable breeder has to many benefits to list. If you decide to get one pair then add another later it’s best to get them from the same source. Ordering from OR, or any of the other two breeding facilities in the US assures you’ll be getting the horses from the same place, where ordering from a place like LA (they don’t breed them, they’re purchased from a supplier) you don’t know where they come from.
Pay the extra, get healthy horses.
JMO
KrisHi DCFishE,
I suggested 2 pairs because I have found they do better in groups. I like to keep a minimum of 3 but since I hate uneven numbers and like keeping pairs I usually go with at least 4 and recommend 4.
Many/most of the places selling CB seahorses are not breeding and rearing the seahorses in their own facilities which means the seahorses are in one or more holding facilities between the breeder and retailer. There are a few problems with this as I see it.
The retailers and holding facilities are not keeping these CB seahorses in any sort of a separate dedicated system so as a result they are exposed to 100s of 1000’s of wild caught fish and multiple pathogens. In addition they have been bagged, shipped, acclimated at least once mostly likely more before you get them.
The fish may or may not be well fed.
When you purchase your seahorses directly from the breeder like OR you eliminate the additional shipping stress as well as any exposure to wild caught fish. The seahorses are coming directly from the breeder into your tank.
HTH,
Leslie
Thanks Kris, think I will do so……….they didnt have a specialist on hand or anyone whom owned to tell me……..think I will either go with my LFS if they are CB or this OR horsies. Thanks much for your imput.
Leslie/Kris , one more thing, is it ok to go with a mustang and a sunburst if I start out with just two? Or stick to the alike species paired or will they already all be? Just wondering, being if I did stick with two for awhile, Id want them to be happy, and I thought generally they horses will take to one another regardless..?
Im going home now, check out the responses tomorrow. Thanks again for the advice/imput from keepers.DC,
As Leslie explained, purchasing SH from a supplier vs. the breeder. When purchasing from the LFS you run the same risks.
I think, you could order a male sunburts and female mustang or vice versa. They will most likely pair if there aren’t any other options, but not alway’s. If you want a mated pair, you can deffinately purchase that way as well.
I got the deluxe special, 2 sunburts and 2 mustangs they’ve stuck with there mates. Once mated they usually don’t slit, but it’s not an unheard of event either.
HTH
KrisHi DC,
You can mix and match the Mustangs and Sunbursts they are actually the same species….erectus and will most likely pair bond without any other options in the tank, although there are no guarantees.
If you want to be assured of a pair it is probably best to purchase a pair.HTH,
Leslie
I am also from new jersey and started with store bought seahorses from what most would say are reputable dealers. I also purchased 2 mated pair from ocean rider. My original seahorses which i paid $250.00 for from the LFS stopped eating and died after about 3 weeks or so. I added a few more from other local stores and all stopped eating and passed on within weeks of getting them. I have during the same period purchased twice more from OR and all their seahorses, mated pairs, juveniles, etc are all doing great. beautiful colors, eating frozen food, and very entertaining. All store bought seahorses, dead. all with same water quality, same food, same temp, same tanks. I purchased more as i lost them. I kept thinking it was something i was doing wrong but honestly not the case. As my 10 year old son says, if we spent 50.00 on a seahorse that dies instead of 100.00 on one that lives, we really did not save anything, did we. if you are seriously considering seahorses, this is the best place to buy. Most reputable and most helpful when problems happen. just my 2 cents worth
alanHi,
This seems to be a frequent question LFS vs breeder. I have seen on many other boards this question posted and the answer is always the same. Buy from the breeder. Think puppy mills vs a breeder. Best of luck
MarkThanks a lot Alan…….appreciate the response, ok ok……..going with OR haha. You have all just given me the extra push. I like speaking with the actual seahorse owners. Ive spent more for my fish in my main tank in the past being I know the LFS owner and that their fish will live long lives and are in the same good water parameters. Ok, think I will be purchasing a paid of "Stangs" this week. Being a big storms moving into NJ I might wait a few days.
I will do another small water change just before I get them to make sure, test everything again, and then feel sure. Its funny because I have kept so called "Difficult" to keep fish and corals, however, with these seahorses and their reputation for being delicate, I just wanted to make sure I have everything good to go.
Im sure once I get them and take care of them like my other marine life Ill be fine.DCFishE ,
I’m in NJ too let me know how you make out!
[email protected]Mark
Hi DC,
OR does a great job packing and shipping.
Craig from OR told me once about horses that had bee shipped just prior to 9/11. Some of those shippments were delayed as many as 9 days and many of the horses were still alive. So 2 days in transit should be just fine. OR packs the horses taking this into consideration and would not be doing 2 day shipping if there were problems.
I would recommend planning on a mid week delivery if possible….. ship on Monday for a Weds delivery so should there be any unexpected delays or problems you do not run into the weekend, especially Sunday.
HTH,
Leslie
I will let you know Mark………just ordered a pair today for delivery this week.
When I get them I’ll definitely let you know how it goes……Thanks Leslie, Im sure they will take good care of them, just never had anything longer then overnight before and even then had a casualty or two and felt bad. I purchase about 95% of my fish in person where I can see them up close and feeding is all.
Well, I should have them in a few days so we shall see, Ill have the tank all ready to go and in tip top shape.
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