Sea Horses & Clown Fish

[Jordon]

My friend asked me if Sea horses can be kept in the same tank as clown fish. Being new to this myself I figured I'd ask you what you thought.





Thanks,
Jordon

 

[dixaisy930]

No, they cannot be kept together. The clownfish will out compete the seahorses for food, and usually the clownfishes "active" behavior will stress the seahorses at some point. Some people may say they keep them together, but I suspect this is only a very short term success.

 

[SeahorseWhisperer]

I had them together for a few years in the '80's, before I learned I couldn't eat it! But, I did have to hand feed the seahorse with a turkey baster. The herd I have now eat form a turkey, so I think it can be done if someone has time to hand feed her fish...

I have read quite a few posts from people who say seahorses are somewhat.....anxious, lets say? Daisy, are you speaking form personal experience? I am curious how one can tell if a fish has stress? I am just kinda curious because I see that written so often, but I am not sure how to judge the anxiety level in a fish?

Now, if you had said "six line wrasse" instead of "clownfish", I might see how a seahorse could be stressed!

 

[Dragonscales]

It is certainly possible (and done successfully by people), however, it is a coupling that should be aproached with a fair amount of caution IMO. As well as the aforementioned competition for food, the seahorses may also cop a little agression due to (innocent) wanderings into the clownfish's territory. I have heard of many people having some trouble in varying amounts with both these issues and in some cases the end results are a return trip to the lfs for some fish, the setup of a new tank or in extreme cases a dead seahorse. The best advice in this case is the same as with alot of cases in fishkeeping, a little caution and an ever watchful eye never goes astray. Every individual fish is different (within species, not just species as a whole) and while you may end up with a clown who couldn't give a hoot about the seahorses, you may not too. The same goes with the food issue, you may get a glutton who pigs out every last piece of food in the tank or you may get one who won't eat unless the food comes to it. Bottom line, if it is to be done then always keep an eye on things and at the first sign of trouble be ready to start seperating the tank's inhabitants