Hippocampus bargibanti - Pygmy Seahorses

[SubRosa]

OK Matt I spoke to my supplier.They are indeed Bargibantis, and I was told they are being bred in Oz.The guy has been working with them for a few years now and has it down.To be honest it's not a fish I would bring in on spec, at least during the slow season.If I can get any more info I will pass it on.I'm completely unfamiliar with Minotaurs.Any info you have would be appreciated,ie. size, notes on captive care, etc.Thanks!

John

[panmanmatt]

Thanks John. If you could find out who the breeder is that would be great. I have spoken to some of the largest breeders in Oz about these and none of them are breeding them. Same goes for the minotaurs. They can not be legally exported/imported under CITIES regulations unless they are CB specimens. CITIES has a 10cm size restriction and neither of these species reaches that size. Bargibanti are about 2.4cm and minotaurs are about 5cm. Both species are endemic to Aus and they are really strict with making sure everything meets the restrictions.

All of the bargibanti I have seen/heard of coming have been a by catch of collecting the gorgonia they live on. Due to their small size and excellent camouflage, they are sometimes passed through without being seen.

I have no care info on the minotaurs at this time but I can try and dig something up. Let me contact some of my people in Aus and see what they can help out with.

Thanks again for getting me some info. I really appreciate it. As you may be aware I help run one of, if not the, largest seahorse dedicated websites and am always looking for info on newly available species. We are currently working on a few new/updated projects about what species are available so this could help quite a bit.

[SeahorseBT]

wow, can you imagine how small those babies must be? I bet he uses seawater to raise them b/c the parents need food smaller than rotifers, so th babies must need something even smaller.

[SubRosa]

Originally Posted by SeahorseBT

wow, can you imagine how small those babies must be? I bet he uses seawater to raise them b/c the parents need food smaller than rotifers, so th babies must need something even smaller.

Maybe, but consider H. zosterae.The adult size is similar to H. bargibanti, and the ponies are larger than some "full size" species.You just don't know til you know!

Matt I'll do my best to get a name, but I was unaware of the 10 cm. size limit and the strictness of CITES enforcement in Oz has me wondering a bit myself now.I didn't push for a name when I spoke to my supplier but I definitely will now!I'll let you know how it turns out.

John

[bunky]

Hi did you have any luck with the bargibanti am interested in these my self.

Originally Posted by SubRosa

Maybe, but consider H. zosterae.The adult size is similar to H. bargibanti, and the ponies are larger than some "full size" species.You just don't know til you know!

Matt I'll do my best to get a name, but I was unaware of the 10 cm. size limit and the strictness of CITES enforcement in Oz has me wondering a bit myself now.I didn't push for a name when I spoke to my supplier but I definitely will now!I'll let you know how it turns out.

John