I want to add more ponies!!!!!!!!

FishGuy5 · 09/13/2009, 12:44 AM

I just got my first pair of seahorses yesterday and I'm hooked!!! (Thanks Aly!!) Can't stop staring at the tank. I would really like to add another pair (probably reidi), but have heard conflicting stories about wether I should or not. What is my "safest" way to add to my pair of Erectus so that I don't get them sick? Is it easy enough if I make sure they're "tank raised"?? Or should I stick with the same species? Or should I get them from the same breeder? TIA

ReefNutPA · 09/13/2009, 05:58 PM

The safest way is to get the same species from the same breeder. If you're newer to the seahorse hobby, you really don't want to deal with medications and such.

Tom

laurarca · 09/13/2009, 07:28 PM

It is not recommended to mix species. I used the drip method to add my reidi to their 30g. They were from ORA and I purchased them from my LFS. I will only purchase tank raised, as I had tried wild caught and all died within 2 weeks (vibrio). Are your ponies from a breeder or LFS? Are they eating frozen mysis? I am trying to train a pair of wild caught erectus from Tampa to eat frozen, and I'm having a heck of a time...they are eating grass shrimp ONLY...time will tell :-)

laurarca · 09/13/2009, 07:30 PM

Sorry...one more thing....I know you have a passion for the 2 you have right now, but I would wait to see how these do until you add more...they need pristine water conditions and time for adjustment. I learned the hard way by going to fast. Give them a good 2-3 weeks...

FishGuy5 · 09/13/2009, 08:03 PM

My pair is captive raised and was purchased from a hobbyist who went a different direction w/ her set-up. They are eating everything and have acclimated well.

laurarca · 09/13/2009, 08:15 PM

Wonderful!! You are off to a great start...I just had another batch of reidi born this morning...this is my 8th attempt at trying to get ONE to live :-(...they are the most difficult species to rear, but I will not give up...BTW...what size tank are your ponies in? What food are they eating? Isn't it fascinating to hear their "snick"?

FishGuy5 · 09/13/2009, 08:19 PM

They are in a custom 50 gallon cube w/ a 20 gallon sump. I've aquascaped w/ some nice macros. They have been fed PE mysis and enriched baby brine shrimp. Also put in a bottle Tigger Pods, but that was a no brainer that they'd devour those.

laurarca · 09/13/2009, 08:52 PM

Yes...I feed PE Mysis also...you may be able to add some more ponies sooner because you have a nice established tank with a fuge...but don't go by my advice :-)...I'd have 4 in there by the morning!! I love my seahorses, but what stinks is that I purchased them in colors of brilliant yellows and orange...now they are marbled black. I was told to paint the sides a baby blue and add light yellows as hitching posts...I really am not going to tear down a tank for any paint job!! They turn white every morning when they do their "breeding dance", and I'm happy with that...

09/13/2009, 12:44 AM	#1
FishGuy5 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 3,215	I want to add more ponies!!!!!!!! I just got my first pair of seahorses yesterday and I'm hooked!!! (Thanks Aly!!) Can't stop staring at the tank. I would really like to add another pair (probably reidi), but have heard conflicting stories about wether I should or not. What is my "safest" way to add to my pair of Erectus so that I don't get them sick? Is it easy enough if I make sure they're "tank raised"?? Or should I stick with the same species? Or should I get them from the same breeder? TIA

09/13/2009, 05:58 PM	#2
ReefNutPA Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pottsville, PA Posts: 852	The safest way is to get the same species from the same breeder. If you're newer to the seahorse hobby, you really don't want to deal with medications and such. Tom

09/13/2009, 07:28 PM	#3
laurarca Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 98	It is not recommended to mix species. I used the drip method to add my reidi to their 30g. They were from ORA and I purchased them from my LFS. I will only purchase tank raised, as I had tried wild caught and all died within 2 weeks (vibrio). Are your ponies from a breeder or LFS? Are they eating frozen mysis? I am trying to train a pair of wild caught erectus from Tampa to eat frozen, and I'm having a heck of a time...they are eating grass shrimp ONLY...time will tell :-)

09/13/2009, 07:30 PM	#4
laurarca Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 98	Sorry...one more thing....I know you have a passion for the 2 you have right now, but I would wait to see how these do until you add more...they need pristine water conditions and time for adjustment. I learned the hard way by going to fast. Give them a good 2-3 weeks...

09/13/2009, 08:03 PM	#5
FishGuy5 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 3,215	My pair is captive raised and was purchased from a hobbyist who went a different direction w/ her set-up. They are eating everything and have acclimated well.

09/13/2009, 08:15 PM	#6
laurarca Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 98	Wonderful!! You are off to a great start...I just had another batch of reidi born this morning...this is my 8th attempt at trying to get ONE to live :-(...they are the most difficult species to rear, but I will not give up...BTW...what size tank are your ponies in? What food are they eating? Isn't it fascinating to hear their "snick"?

09/13/2009, 08:19 PM	#7
FishGuy5 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 3,215	They are in a custom 50 gallon cube w/ a 20 gallon sump. I've aquascaped w/ some nice macros. They have been fed PE mysis and enriched baby brine shrimp. Also put in a bottle Tigger Pods, but that was a no brainer that they'd devour those.

09/13/2009, 08:52 PM	#8
laurarca Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 98	Yes...I feed PE Mysis also...you may be able to add some more ponies sooner because you have a nice established tank with a fuge...but don't go by my advice :-)...I'd have 4 in there by the morning!! I love my seahorses, but what stinks is that I purchased them in colors of brilliant yellows and orange...now they are marbled black. I was told to paint the sides a baby blue and add light yellows as hitching posts...I really am not going to tear down a tank for any paint job!! They turn white every morning when they do their "breeding dance", and I'm happy with that...