Non-photosynthetic Gorgonians And Seahorse

[zendarx2]

Again I have been reading (yay for passing the first grade) I see that some people keep
non-photosynthetic gorgonians in there seahorse tank. My plan is to start out with fake coral maybe some zoos or something like that but I really like the “deep yellow gorgonians. I think they cool very good and it seems they are not to hard to care for as long as you don’t mind spot feeding (and I don’t) But I want my seahorses to be happy (and have a live coral to hitch to some times) So would they hitch to a non-photosynthetic gorgonians or would it hurt them? And if they had fry would it eat the fry? If it would eat them then how fast like within 1-6 hours? I just need to know more about keeping them with seahorses and I have been reading about people keeping them with the horses but they don’t really say if they hurt the horses when they hitch or eat the fry.

Summary
1. Are non-photosynthetic gorgonians safe with adult seahorse (ie hurting them when they hitch)

2. Are non-photosynthetic gorgonians safe with seahorse fry (ie eat them)

3. If they eat fry around how fast?


Sorry but in my quest for knowledge I must ask questions but I would rather ask then to just buy something or do something and regret it later

 

[Navarre]

They can sting, whether they are capable of stinging a seahorse is not something i am sure about but i would not try it.

Non-photo synthetic gorgonians are notoriously hard to keep and usually die slowly over a perio d of a few months. They require almost constant feeding and specialist foods such as plankton. Gorgoians require high flow rates whereas seahorse would prefer roots or seagrasses etc. I would suggest you look into different algae types, ornamental roots or even live mangroves rather than corals.

 

[superman]

I agree with Navarre. There are SO many things that seahorses will hitch to, everything form leathers, ro wooden dowels. If you want something alive that the seahorses could hitch to, I would make sure that it is something that is easily kept in low flow.

 

[zendarx2]

Okay thanks. Well I cant find anything online about wooden dowels…well not the plant anyway and nothing really about live mangroves and the places that sell them don’t ship to Ohio. But I think I will stick with fake coral any other things like that. I would like to spend most of my time on the seahorses anyway so I will still be a happy camper. Weeee seahorses weee lol

thanks you guys rock

 

[Opcn]

Macroalgeas are were its at, them and sea grass. Macroalgeas not only proved current free areas and collor but they also provide podlife which feeds seahorses.

 

[Dragonscales]

There are plenty of people who have kept gorgonians quite successfully with seahorses, unfortunantly there are also many people who haven't.

The need for a high flow compared to seahorses can be aleviated by placing the gorgonians practically on top of powerheads. Gorgonians are mostly seahorse safe also (I say mostly because there is always a chance that there is one or two species out there that may be an oddity to the norm, this is saltwater after all ).

Personally I would shy away from keeping gorgonians with seahorses though for one simple reason above all others (such as the pita of trying to optimise the tank over a few weeks/months to keep all the inhabitants happy in regards to flow rates for example, etc). As has been said, gorgonians are rather delicate and the constant hitching by seahorses (who often develop a liking to one or two particular spots in a tank) can cause damage to them and even possibly death.

As for seahorse fry, these really should be removed and raised in their own tank for optimal results. The ideal situation that is most likely to bring success is a barebottom tank with minimal clutter (some seawater safe twine or rope, a fake plant or similar is needed for hitches though) as this is the easiest way to keep the tank free of uneaten food, waste, etc. It also ensures that any food placed in the tank is delivered where it's needed, to the fry.

All in all though, the best advice I can give is to keep it simple until you get the hang of things, the less things you need to keep an eye on, the more time you can invest into your seahorses. Trust me, you will have your hands full until you get into the swing of things

Good luck!

 

[zendarx2]

thanks dragon, and all of you. I do plan on taking the fry out of the tank anyway.