Clean up crew in a seahorse only tank - Page 2

ComponentElm246 · 08/25/2016, 05:07 PM

It's 2016 and i find this thread very relevant cos im trying to set up a seahorse only tank right now.

vlangel · 08/25/2016, 07:04 PM

Hey, welcome to the world of seahorse! If you have any questions feel free to ask.

ThRoewer · 08/26/2016, 03:24 AM

I would stick largely with snails. Stromatella that reproduce in your tank are ideal.
Hermits should only be tiny species, if any - though they are more a threat to snails than seahorses.
If the tank is larger and you don't have macro algae you may also try urchins for algae control.

As leftover food consumers you could try one of the smaller Stenopus shrimp species - I would recommend S. tenuirostris or S. cyanoscelis, both smaller and peaceful species. They will usually only come out at night or collect food that gets close enough to their cave. I have several pairs of both species with my pipefish and no issues.

BTW: I can only confirm that Banggai Cardinals are very aggressive eaters and also not necessarily peaceful. My 3 Banggai pairs are crazy wild eaters and so fast that my other fish have a hard time competing.
I need to fill them up first before the other fish cam get food.
I could also imagine that Banggais don't like seahorses much as they are a possible thread to their fry.

Better tank mates may be pipefish or mandarins.

afm32607 · 11/22/2017, 09:51 AM

Bringing it back one more time. Does anyone have any opinion relative to shrimp like skunk cleaners or peppermint? I have a 34 gallon tank I am making into a sea horse tank, was thinking one skunk or a couple peppermints (they do better in groups IME). I know they would compete for food, but how much can one or two shrimp eat?

SaltyMember · 11/22/2017, 09:56 AM

Peppermint shrimp are fine in a seahorse tank. They help clean up uneaten food and don’t bother seahorses.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

vlangel · 11/24/2017, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afm32607

Bringing it back one more time. Does anyone have any opinion relative to shrimp like skunk cleaners or peppermint? I have a 34 gallon tank I am making into a sea horse tank, was thinking one skunk or a couple peppermints (they do better in groups IME). I know they would compete for food, but how much can one or two shrimp eat?

I have a couple peppermint shrimp in my tank. They can get very brazen if you are feeding from a dish on the floor. Now my dish is up high on the side of the tank. Also small peppermint shrimp can end up being dinner, so choose speciments on the larger size and introduce them either before the seahorses or after the lights are out so they can find hiding places.

SaltyMember · 11/25/2017, 07:05 PM

My peppermint shrimp stay in their cave the vast majority of the time. They are only willing to come out briefly to nab a piece of mysis if it drifts by their cave. Otherwise, I think they are afraid of the seahorses despite being large in size.

08/26/2016, 03:24 AM	#28
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	I would stick largely with snails. Stromatella that reproduce in your tank are ideal. Hermits should only be tiny species, if any - though they are more a threat to snails than seahorses. If the tank is larger and you don't have macro algae you may also try urchins for algae control. As leftover food consumers you could try one of the smaller Stenopus shrimp species - I would recommend S. tenuirostris or S. cyanoscelis, both smaller and peaceful species. They will usually only come out at night or collect food that gets close enough to their cave. I have several pairs of both species with my pipefish and no issues. BTW: I can only confirm that Banggai Cardinals are very aggressive eaters and also not necessarily peaceful. My 3 Banggai pairs are crazy wild eaters and so fast that my other fish have a hard time competing. I need to fill them up first before the other fish cam get food. I could also imagine that Banggais don't like seahorses much as they are a possible thread to their fry. Better tank mates may be pipefish or mandarins. __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

08/25/2016, 05:07 PM	#26
ComponentElm246 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 2	It's 2016 and i find this thread very relevant cos im trying to set up a seahorse only tank right now.

08/25/2016, 07:04 PM	#27
vlangel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,409	Hey, welcome to the world of seahorse! If you have any questions feel free to ask.

11/22/2017, 09:51 AM	#29
afm32607 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 279	Bringing it back one more time. Does anyone have any opinion relative to shrimp like skunk cleaners or peppermint? I have a 34 gallon tank I am making into a sea horse tank, was thinking one skunk or a couple peppermints (they do better in groups IME). I know they would compete for food, but how much can one or two shrimp eat?

11/22/2017, 09:56 AM	#30
SaltyMember Premium Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 1,355	Peppermint shrimp are fine in a seahorse tank. They help clean up uneaten food and don’t bother seahorses. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11/25/2017, 07:05 PM	#32
SaltyMember Premium Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 1,355	My peppermint shrimp stay in their cave the vast majority of the time. They are only willing to come out briefly to nab a piece of mysis if it drifts by their cave. Otherwise, I think they are afraid of the seahorses despite being large in size.