seahorses in 5.5 gal nano?

sullyfish · 01/23/2006, 01:24 PM

I wanted to get feedback from anyone keeping seahorses in a nano tank ( under 10 gallons ). I have a 5.5 gal nano reef tank and I wasnt sure if that is possible or not. I know horses need low water flow and like to be in species tanks. My tank has no other livestock, only ricordia coral, feather duster, some zoo's and yellow polyps.. It has been established for 8 months now and is stable, amn,ni & na are at 0.0.. The LFS has some horses that are eating frozen mysis very well, are about 2.5 -3.5" and are yellow ( redi ? not sure ) would a pair have enough space ? appreciate feedback

sullyfish · 01/23/2006, 02:39 PM

Anyone ?...I was just reading old threads and it looks like 5.5 gal would not be big enough unless they were dwarf SH's....Maybe I have answered my own question, but if anyone has any input speak up....thanks

Samala · 01/23/2006, 03:22 PM

Right, nano reefs are not a good setup for any seahorse. The typical species that you would find in a LFS.. reidi, kuda and erectus.. are all relatively big species, from 5-8".. and need their space, specifically vertical height. The basic tank that is recommended is a 29gallon for these species, with some people getting by with a 20H for a pair of SH.

A 5.5gal would be an okay starting tank for H. zosterae, but not in the setup you currently have. Unfortunately with this species the tank needs to be designed around them and not amended later.

It sounds like a very nice little nano though, have you looked into any of the smaller nano safe fishes for some activity in there?

>Sarah

sullyfish · 01/23/2006, 03:36 PM

After reading some of the threads and your notes ( thanks ) I agree that it just wont work. It is a bit hard since I think these are fascinating creatures, but I would hate to get some and watch them suffer...I will get a small goby or something of that nature..I knew when I set up this nano that I would be restricted due to its size, but it fits nicely on my desk and is fun to watch.

thanks again, Sarah

Fredfish · 01/23/2006, 06:23 PM

Well ya know, a 30 gallon isn't that expensive...

Fred

pledosophy · 01/24/2006, 01:21 AM

I got a 29 with filter and light for $20 at a swapmeet

WaGuy82 · 01/24/2006, 03:28 AM

Dwarf pipes should work if you're interested check out www.floridapets.com

sullyfish · 01/24/2006, 10:00 AM

I would love to get a bigger tank than my 5g but right now I just dont have the space on my desk for a bigger tank....Maybe when I get that corner office LOL

01/23/2006, 01:24 PM	#1
sullyfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska Posts: 481	seahorses in 5.5 gal nano? I wanted to get feedback from anyone keeping seahorses in a nano tank ( under 10 gallons ). I have a 5.5 gal nano reef tank and I wasnt sure if that is possible or not. I know horses need low water flow and like to be in species tanks. My tank has no other livestock, only ricordia coral, feather duster, some zoo's and yellow polyps.. It has been established for 8 months now and is stable, amn,ni & na are at 0.0.. The LFS has some horses that are eating frozen mysis very well, are about 2.5 -3.5" and are yellow ( redi ? not sure ) would a pair have enough space ? appreciate feedback

01/23/2006, 02:39 PM	#2
sullyfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska Posts: 481	Anyone ?...I was just reading old threads and it looks like 5.5 gal would not be big enough unless they were dwarf SH's....Maybe I have answered my own question, but if anyone has any input speak up....thanks __________________ 180 gal SPS reef, 150 gal breeder system

01/23/2006, 03:22 PM	#3
Samala Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,930	Right, nano reefs are not a good setup for any seahorse. The typical species that you would find in a LFS.. reidi, kuda and erectus.. are all relatively big species, from 5-8".. and need their space, specifically vertical height. The basic tank that is recommended is a 29gallon for these species, with some people getting by with a 20H for a pair of SH. A 5.5gal would be an okay starting tank for H. zosterae, but not in the setup you currently have. Unfortunately with this species the tank needs to be designed around them and not amended later. It sounds like a very nice little nano though, have you looked into any of the smaller nano safe fishes for some activity in there? >Sarah __________________ "Seaweed is cool, seaweed is fun, it makes its food from the rays of the sun!"

01/23/2006, 03:36 PM	#4
sullyfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska Posts: 481	After reading some of the threads and your notes ( thanks ) I agree that it just wont work. It is a bit hard since I think these are fascinating creatures, but I would hate to get some and watch them suffer...I will get a small goby or something of that nature..I knew when I set up this nano that I would be restricted due to its size, but it fits nicely on my desk and is fun to watch. thanks again, Sarah __________________ 180 gal SPS reef, 150 gal breeder system

01/24/2006, 01:21 AM	#6
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	I got a 29 with filter and light for $20 at a swapmeet __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

01/23/2006, 06:23 PM	#5
Fredfish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 2,661	Well ya know, a 30 gallon isn't that expensive... Fred

01/24/2006, 03:28 AM	#7
WaGuy82 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 276	Dwarf pipes should work if you're interested check out www.floridapets.com

01/24/2006, 10:00 AM	#8
sullyfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska Posts: 481	I would love to get a bigger tank than my 5g but right now I just dont have the space on my desk for a bigger tank....Maybe when I get that corner office LOL __________________ 180 gal SPS reef, 150 gal breeder system