Pretty Pet Seahorses
One of the most fascinating things you can have in your aquarium is pet seahorses. I have always marveled at their beauty anytime I see them, but I never realized you could actually have them as pets. Don’t run out to the pet store just yet though, there are some things you will need to understand before building that seahorse stable.
The aquarium you buy doesn’t have to be extremely large, but they do only live in saltwater. So, make sure that you clarify your needs before buying your new aquarium, because you will need to have a saltwater filter. In addition to your filter, temperature is important for the seahorse. The water needs to be kept at around 70 to 75 degrees at all times. So, always be sure to check your hydrometer. Seahorses don’t swim a whole lot, but you may want to get them some live rocks for their new home. Most fish do not live in these same conditions, so you will want to reserve this new aquarium for just your pet seahorses only.
Your pet seahorses don’t care for bright light as they typically remain at a low level below the water, so you don’t want to have a lot of lighting in your tank or have them near a window. You can grow algae if you like to keep your chemical level healthy in the water, and they will need light but just be careful with it. According to petideas.net, when around bright lights your pet seahorses may go into hiding as the lights will make them fearful. If they go into hiding for too long they could potentially starve.
Seahorses are certainly at the top of the list when it comes to having “marine” type fish in your home. They just have a very unique look to them. Their gorgeous horses head makes them stand out, and they have an armadillo like body with a stunning tail. They can keep you on your toes as they change color, and they typically will need feeding anywhere from 4 to 8 times per day. They love brine shrimp, but it is best if you don’t feed it to them frozen. Make sure that you thaw it out, but it is still best to feed them live shrimp. If you have wild caught seahorses this is best because it will simulate their normal feeding pattern.
These days you have options when it comes to owning seahorses. There are now many that are farm bred and are adjusted to having thawed out shrimp for food. You just have to be careful of dumping in too much at one time, and if you break them up to put them into the tank while frozen, you run the risk of food particles floating around and contaminating your tank. Just be mindful of what it takes to feed your pet seahorses before you buy them.
Years ago, there was no method by which to feed seahorses while you were away on vacation or out for the day, but the modern age has developed feeding stations that can be used for your pet seahorses. If you have an interest in using a feeding station, try to keep it as close to their natural surroundings as possible. According to wetwebmedia.com, you can use Toadstool Leather Coral as a feeding station, or even an upturned Clamshell works well. One shell I love to wear and can be used in your seahorse tank is an Abalone or Paua Shell. With its natural pattern and variance of colors it adds a very attractive look to your aquarium.
Last but not least, when feeding your pet seahorses, make sure you don’t just dump their food and walk away. You will need to put the food into the dish and then place it back into the tank for their feeding time. Watch so that you know they have all arrived for dinner time, and then make sure any left over’s or uneaten remnants have been removed from the tank. A clean tank makes a happy home for your new seahorses.