I'm new....with ponies!

[NyButterfly03]

Hello all, my name is Alaina and I have been keeping SW tanks since 2003. currently I have 2sw & 1fw tank. My tanks are a 75gal and a 14gal hex. Both have been running for a fairly long time, the 75 has been up 4yrs in Feb but b/c of a recent pregnancy and a new baby in the house, it got quite neglected over the past year+ I had to recently replace my filter I now have a Emporer (the big one) my memory is mush sine having the baby too lol but that is what 3 kids will do to ya right?

Anyway, I am introducing myself here b/c over the weekend I rescued 2 big male seahorses. They were kept in VERY poor condition and were seriously half dead when I found them. I begged my boyfriend to let me try to help them (I raised baby sh's previously) so I succeded and brought them home and acclimated them into the 75. They have improved and started eating yesterday. I have had them 4 days so far. BUT the thing is, I had placed an order online for 2 sh's b4 I found them. They arrived today and appear to be the same species just smaller but if thet arent, is it still ok to have them together or should I put the newbies in the 14g for now?

well thanks for ur advise

[Kazzy]

I would think it would be okay to put them together.

[AQTCJAK]

Welcome Aboard now lets see some pictures

[boozeman]

[NyButterfly03]

Ok here are a few pics....maybe not the best but I tried! LOL FYI those are NOT spots on the pony, it is on the glass and I forgot to turn off the flash in one of the tank shots










Sorry they are so big...thought I resized them

[panmanmatt]

It is not advisable to mix different species of seahorses. I would put the new guys in the 14 for now.

Also can you tell us a little bit more about your set up (ie: tank mates, temp, flow, lighting). Seahorses have very specific needs such as certain fish and corals are harmful to seahorses, they require temperatures in the 72-74 degree range and don't handle a lot of flow really well.

Also if you obtained the first 2 horses from your LFS chances are they are pen raised and would not be compatible with true captive bred specimens. If you could give as much info as possible about all the horses, we can help you give them the best care possible. Info such as species (if known), who the breeder was and where they were purchased would be very helpful. If you are not sure of the species, post some pictures and we'll help you ID them.

BTW, welcome to the Sanctuary.

[panmanmatt]

From those pictures they look to be hippocampus erectus and at last one of them is male. Can't tell about the other one from the pics. At that size I am going to guess that they are most likely wild caught. Do you mind if I ask what you paid for them?

The one on the left in that last pic has me concerned with the white on the end of his snout. Can you get me a clearer pic of that?

Also what are they eating for you?

[NyButterfly03]

I believe that injury is from an emerald crab...they were in a 12 gal eclipse like tank with an emerald cram and very little lr & ls. He did not know squat about how to care for them, like I said they were almost dead. They watch the frozen mysis but haven't gone after it. They have however did take live bryne yesterday and again this morning. I agree that they may be wild caught. The guy I got them from was feeding them GUPPIES and "other frozen stuff" i decided to get the live food just b/c I just wanted them to eat. I paid 20$ each for them. I told the guy I didn't care, I wasn't leaving without them and I would stay there till he kicked me out and he caved on the price with the advice of his friend that was there.

They are both very clearly males to me!! LOL

[panmanmatt]

YEah it is definitely an injury of some sort. I am concerned because snout rot is a very aggressive disease that if left untreated can spread really fast.

If they are not taking the frozen mysis, I would strongly suggest getting either some live ghost shrimp or live mysid shrimp to get them eating. Brine shrimp are nutritionally void unless you enrich them with vitamins.

Personally I would move them into a bare bottom QT tank and closely monitor them to make sure they are eating. It will also be easier to train them to accept frozen foods in a bare bottomed tank.

What are your current water parameters?

[panmanmatt]

Sorry to be throwing so much at you at one time. I just want to help you give the guys the best possible chance.

Karma to you for trying to rescue these guys.

[NyButterfly03]

If i had not had them before, I never would have tried to care for them. I added about 200 pods to the tank 2 weeks ago. Like I said in the 1st post I really let the tank go and now my baby is almost 6 months old and I am getting used to my life w/3 kids, I decided it is time to really get it going again.

Other than the ponies, there are no other tank mates other than a few hermits (small ones) I only got the bryne b/c it was live and I just wanted to see IF they would eat. I totally plan on getting them on a better diet ASAP.

All perameters checked out fine today.

No worries about throwing too much at me, that is y I am here I want them to be ok so I WANT your opinions and suggestions

[DrHank]

Alaina, Matt is our resident pony expert. I hope that you have success in saving them. If anyone can help you it would be Matt. Good luck and welcome to RS!

[AQTCJAK]

Cool pictures the kids look like they are having fun. The red hoever looks like red Cyno is it?

[panmanmatt]

200 pods will last 2 horses that size about an hour. I am glad you are trying to get them onto a more appropriate food.

I will still suggest getting them into a bare bottom QT. It will make it a ton easier on you to make sure they are eating. The most important thing for them right now is to keep them eating, especially the one with the snout injury.

The main parameter I am concerned with is temperature. Ideally it should be in the 72-74 degree range. Even lower if you move them to a QT. The lower temp will help slow any bacterial infections that may be going on in that snout. In case you can't tell, that white snout has me very concerned. If you go to Seahorse Organisation. Keeping and Breeding Seahorses in the home aquarium. and do a search for snout rot, you will see why I am so concerned about it.


Mods, I apologize if it is inappropriate to send to another site. Feel free to remove that reference if need be.

[lcstorc]

Welcome to RS! We love new members and I particilarly love new pony lovers. I am in the process now of setting up a 90g pony tank myself with lots of help from Matt.
Thanks for at least trying to rescue these guys and I really hope you are successful.