No doubt about it, sea horses are really weird and cool. For sure, they make great aquarium subjects. Seahorses are fairly simple to keep if they are housed in the proper type of aquarium system, kept with mellow, peaceful tankmates and offered the right sort of foods.
But are they worth it? That depends upon the keeper’s tastes and intentions. While these animals certainly are interesting and showy, they require a lot of “extras” in terms of husbandry and housing. And, they can consume a bit more of their keeper’s time than most other fishes. This piece examines a few of the major pros and cons of keeping seahorses in captivity.
So What ARE Seahorses, Anyway?
Seahorses (Genus Hippocampus) belong to the family Syngnathidae which they share with the sea dragons and pipefishes. There are only around 36 seahorse species in all, and most of them share a few characteristics.
Its horse-like head (which gives it its common name) has a very elongated snout and a crooked neck that make it quite recognizable. Rather than bearing scales, their body is protected by hardened plates. Most unlike other fish types, seahorses swim (if you can call it that) in an upright position. They do so with just their dorsal and pectoral fins. Rather than a caudal fin (i.e. tail fin) seahorses have a long, tightly-gripping prehensile tail.
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While seahorses are most definitely slower swimmers than most other fishes, they are capable of remarkable maneuverability. They can even hover in place for long periods of time. Seahorses are typically encountered in calm waters such as shallow, protected bays and estuaries. They are most abundant where there are thick growths of seagrass or macroalgae that they can grab with their tail during bouts of stronger tidal currents or wave action.
Seahorses (like all syngnathids) all exclusively predatory. They have a rather unusual means of predation. This mechanism, called elastic recoil feeding, allows them to speedily snap the head forward using energy stored in special neck muscles. Seahorses prey primarily on miniscule crustaceans such as copepods, amphipods, juvenile shrimps, etc. Because their prey items are so small, seahorses have to hunt all day long in order to consume a day’s fill.
The Seahorse Dwelling
Seahorse aquaria differ notably from the sorts constructed for most other saltwater aquarium fish species. Optimal conditions for a good seahorse tank contradict those of a good reef tank In certain key aspects. To be sure here, an aquarium that is specially set up for corals is intrinsically bad for them. In fact, seahorses require fairly specialized aquarium systems–most often, they are species tanks.
Not being all that active or territorial, seahorses do not absolutely require huge tanks. For this reason you can skimp a little on the tank size. That being said, in this case, it’s also a good idea to oversize the filter system (oversize the filter based on animal size/number, not tank size!). Water flow must be minimal. Moreover, the water column should be clear of microbubbles.
Seahorses very much appreciate a good “hitching post” that they can hold on to while at rest in moving waters. If multiple specimens will be kept, there should be enough space on the post for all of the seahorses in the tank to hold. Stinging animals such as corals and sea anemones are terrible hitching posts. Seahorses however love plants/seaweeds (such as macroalgae and mangroves). Even though they look pretty unnatural, structures made of man-made material (such as PVC pipe) can suffice.
Tankmates
It is not easy to successfully keep many non-syngnathid fish with seahorses. Being so slow, seahorses cannot avoid attacks by aggressive tankmates. For this same reason, they struggle to keep up with faster-swimming fishes during feeding time.
The simplest and safest way to keep seahorses is to house only individuals or bonded pairs in each tank. It is just a bit more challenging to maintain a small group of a single species (known as a “herd”). The keeper may successfully house different seahorse species or perhaps other syngnathids together in the same tank. Just be aware that there are limits to compatibility due to differences between each species’ optimal parameters (e.g. water temperature range).
Feeding
Undoubtably, feeding is the area where seahorses require the most care and attention. You should never count on an animal accepting any kind of prepared food (flakes, pellets, etc.). Indeed,
sometimes even whole frozen foods are outright rejected. In this respect (and others), tank-bred specimens are superior to wild-caught ones in that they are less picky eaters.
As a rule, seahorses very strongly favor live foods. Regardless of a specimen’s species, age or size, live microcrustaceans (ranging from copepods to brine shrimp) should be the cornerstone of their diet. Be prepared to feed live foods daily.
Small but frequent feedings are preferable to those that are generous in size but infrequent. Ideally, the animal is feed well throughout the day. Though it might be a little impractical, it may help to cut the filtration system while feeding to avoid food losses in mechanical filters.
Thinking About It
There is a lot to consider! Especially since you’d probably be dedicating an entire tank to them! Husbandry, compatibility and housing for any prospective seahorse species must be completely researched before bringing a specimen home. And you will need a source of quality live food! Keeping these magnificent creatures is a challenge. Still, with the proper living environment, tankmates and feeding regimen, a seahorse can thrive in captivity for several years.
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Asad Khan says
Seahorses have never really appealed to me. Sound like way too much extra work.
Paul Kachirsky says
Seahorses are cool but not for me
Jerene Milliken says
We have two lined seahorses. They are elegant and graceful creatures. We LOVE to watch them at feeding time which we provide mysis shrimp twice daily.
While seahorse aquariums are not for everyone, I recommend to those who are interested, do your research. There’s a lot to learn with regard to setting up a tank for seahorses but we find our aquarium to be rewarding and always fascinating! There are great sources of information online and YouTube has a plethora of videos on the subject of seahorse ownership.
Kelly Tompkins says
Sea horses are cool but I like more flow and excitement in my tank!
http://bit.ly/2PTnrN2
Jonathan says
Never tried a seahorse tank. I have a dragon faced pipefish in my reef though. Cool guy that gets around.
Mike Mijarez says
They are beautiful but sound so fragile. I would want them to be alone of course but for that reason I would pass . I like a community
robert vice says
I like to look at them dont really want them thoughh
Kinue says
Love seahorses! They are all I keep.
Nickn says
Id love a seahorse tank but my add would def want to have more of a community type tank
dartagnon_1965 says
Majestic, but too fragile.
Becky says
I think they are pretty but not enough action compared to fish.
Joe car says
I like seahorses but my fish are too aggressive to have one.
Paul Kachirsky says
Seahorses are cool! But I like lots of flow in my tank, so they arent for me.
Richard Baer says
I think it would be great to have a macro algae and seahorse tank. I don’t like the artificial seahorse tanks with plastic chains and fake plants. I was thinking about a 20 gallon tank with a 50 gallon refugium to ensure the pod population has a chance to keep up with the seahorse demand.
Wilfredo Robles says
I have them and they are a lot of work but the pleasure of having them makes it worth it all truly my favorite Fish
Wilfredo Robles says
I have them and they are a lot of work but the pleasure
of having them makes it worth it all truly my favorite Fish.
I plan to Increase the size of my tank so i can have more
Matt Miller says
Love seahorses
Matthew Miller says
Love the info
Matt Miller says
This is awesome
polygonreef says
Beautiful creatures!
Rachel says
Seahorses are very calm to watch. If you are interested in getting one many people suggest a minimum of a 30 gal tank per pair with a protein skimmer. Tank should have a min height of 18 inches. Most captive bred seahorses are adjusted to eating frozen mysis shrimp that pet stores sell. They are great pets that learn quickly and recognize who cares for them. Doing research is the best thing for anyone considering them as pets.
Michgander reefer says
I love how the tanks ive seen with them look but herd they are very hard
cassi.klaasen says
i do still really want them!
Matt Blefeld says
Beautiful but I don’t have the time for them
Steven Rodriguez says
No luck with them
liesle_memmott says
I think they are really cool, but just not enough for me to keep. I’d have to set up a completely separate system just for them as my main system is more a reef with lots of flow.
Christopher Burns says
i would love to
Brett says
Love
whwhunt says
Interesting creatures but just not for me at this time. Who knows maybe someday in the future.
Liz McDaneld says
Would love to have a seahorse tank when I can dedicate the time
Dallas Tippie says
Great idea for a nano tank!
Aaron says
I’d like a seahorse but I’m not ready yet
aaron says
I’m not ready for a seahorse just yet
aaron says
I’d love a seahorse
Tim Kubajak says
They are cool but I’m not committed enough.
Echo says
I definitely want seahorses. When I upgrade my reef I plan to turn my Biocube into a seahorse tank. That won’t be for a few years yet.
dcallahan56789 says
my wife and children have been at me for a while to set up a seahorse tank. I’m still doing my research and wondering if i will have the time for such a demanding tank.
Wesley Spangler says
Seems like more work than im willing to put in. Maybe one day.
Luis Aceves says
No Seahorses for me. To high maintenance.
James says
Too much work.
Richard says
I wish I had the time for seahorses, such amazing animals
alfieh1 says
Great Article, it explained in great detail what is needed to take on a Seahorse tank.
robert.lowell says
Rethinking my choice
Nicholas Robinson says
The best seahorses are captive breed. I’ve been keeping seahorses for over 10 years .. I love them .. each seahorse tends to have it’s own personality…
Diane Gordon says
They should be wild. Gorgeous creatures.