ORA Lined Seahorse

Description

The Lined Seahorse is a species native to the U.S. It is naturally found in regions ranging from Nova Scotia, Canada, and the northern Gulf of Mexico coming all the way down to Panama and Venezuela. The specimens sold here are captive-bred by ORA. Lined Seahorses are best kept in an aquarium specifically for seahorses. It is possible to keep other fish with them, but they have to be small, peaceful fish that won’t compete with the seahorses for food. Seahorses should be kept in a group or at least a pair. They are social fish that should not be kept singly. Seahorses can be kept with corals, but avoid corals with stinging tentacles or mouths big enough to eat a seahorse. Acropora corals and other SPS corals won’t bother seahorses, but seahorses may bother them by hitching to them. Inverts such as crabs and clams should be avoided, as they can harm seahorses. On the other hand, small ornamental crustaceans may get eaten by seahorses. Having some flow in the tank is recommended, but seahorses are weak swimmers. Don’t have anything too strong. Provide plenty of structures for the seahorses to hitch onto. Some great options for this are gorgonian corals, plastic plants, plastic corals, or even some kinds of macroalgae.

Care Requirements

• Feeding: Carnivore. Feed frozen Mysis shrimp in two or more small feedings per day. Having an established copepod population will provide additional food and help keep them healthy.
• Water Parameters: 72°-78° F (try to keep under 74°), dKH 8-12, pH 8.0-8.4, sg 1.021-1.025
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Reef safe: With caution. May eat small crustaceans. May bother corals or be harmed by corals.
• Color: Males are generally black while females are generally a yellowish color. Color varies.

More Information

Because these Lined Seahorses are captive-bred by ORA, they accept frozen Mysis shrimp instead of requiring live food. They are also hardier and more resilient to disease than their wild-caught counterparts. Captive-bred is the way to go!