Thanks to the advancements in aquarium technology, raising a herd of seahorses in your home is easier than ever. While it still takes lots of care and patience, raising the charming sea creatures is a fulfilling and fun activity. If you’re looking to start raising your very own herd soon, here are some important dos and don’ts to keep in mind.

Do:

Create an Ideal Environment.

Creating the right type of environment in an aquarium is crucial to raising healthy seahorses. Seahorses prefer a fast flow rate. Every hour, the total volume of the tank should be turned over between 10 and 20 times. As an added layer of protection, both the intakes and outflows should be covered to prevent any seahorses from being sucked into them and harmed. 

There are also structural elements that should be added to your tank when raising seahorses. The creatures need areas to hide and rest because of the high flow rate. Arrange your tank elements (such as plant life and live rocks) in a way that provides these tiny rest havens. Similarly, seahorses need hitching posts to grab onto with their tails. Plastic and silk plants, artificial corals, and live rocks are all good options for these structures.

Use the Right Food.

Seahorses are fairly picky eaters. Instead of relying on flakes, pellets, or frozen foods, a healthy diet of live food is the best option. Brine shrimp and copepods are common choices, but the exact diet will depend on the size, age, and species of your seahorse. 

While hand-feeding the seahorses is a fun activity, it’s typically more convenient to use feeding stations. These can be any cup-like object that the sea creatures can approach on their own. A small bowl, empty shells, a scoop in a live rock, or a store-bought feeding station are all good options.

Don’t:

Add the Wrong Fish.

Instead of introducing seahorses to an aquarium that’s already full of fish, it’s best to allow the creatures to get used to the environment alone before adding any other companions. Fast, high-energy fish don’t make good tankmates to seahorses. They’ll overwhelm the seahorses with their speed and eat any food before the others have a chance to feed. Slower, shier fish are good options. Firefish, Banggai, pajama cardinals, and royal grammas are common choices. Even with these seahorse-safe picks, however, only add a couple to avoid upsetting the balance of the aquarium.

Focus on Color.

Seahorses are undeniably gorgeous sea creatures. From brilliant blues to stunning yellows, the tiny creatures come in a huge variety of amazing colors. You shouldn’t, however, choose the seahorses for your aquarium based on their color. Color varies from seahorse to seahorse; not species to species. A seahorse that’s bright yellow when you first put it into the tank might change to a marbled brown after adjusting to its environment. Instead of focusing on the color, talk with a fish shop professional to understand what makes a healthy addition to your tank.

If you’re thinking of raising your own seahorse herd, Gerber’s Tropical Fish in Dayton, OH, is the aquarium supply and marine life store to choose. With a stunning variety of sea creatures spread across nearly 600 tanks and at least 500 corals in stock every single day, there’s no better source for healthy and high-quality sea life in the area. If you’re new to the hobby or have specific questions, the highly knowledgeable staff will assist you and even special order exactly what you’re looking for. Visit the website for more information on the products and marine life available or call (937) 297-0515 to speak with a friendly representative today.