about dwarf seahorses

[luremate]

Can I keep dwarves, a scooter blenny, and one of those fire gobies in the same tank?

[bould]

From my research, I'd say it's not the best idea... dwarf seahorses are notoriously finicky and require super clean conditions, think bare bottom tanks and plastic plants. Not exactly ideal for your average small marine setup.

I've never actually kept pygmy seahorses, but I was keen to learn more, so I did some reading. Unless you've got experience with them and have been keeping marines for a while, I'd advise against getting seahorses, let alone mixing them with other species. You really need to know what you're doing with the seahorses first.

[Cobyx]

The scooter blenny is fine, they don't compete for the same food as they primarily eat copepods. However, I'd advise against the firtideflow. It's not that they'd harm the dwarf seahorses, but more that they'd outcompete them for food. Additionally, since dwarf seahorses are livebearers, having a firtideflow in the tank would make it difficult to keep the fry alive - they love larvae and fry.

Dwarf seahorses, like those from the oceanixs genus, are generally better suited to a species tank. They also prefer lower tropical temperatures, around 76 degrees, as higher temperatures can increase their susceptibility to bacterial infections, particularly in the pouch.

[luremate]

That's a bummer, I was really looking forward to having a fire goby, but thanks for the heads up. I've been doing my research and I think my tank is about a week or two away from being ready for fish. My other question is, would you recommend adding the dwarves or the scooter blenny first?

[finley_es]

Honestly, I think you'd be better off getting the scooter blenny and skipping the seahorses altogether. I've seen even seasoned aquarists shy away from keeping seahorses, and for good reason - they require a tremendous amount of effort and dedication. Pygmy seahorses are especially demanding, and I think you'd be taking on more than you bargained for.

I'll be blunt, seahorses can be pretty dull to watch too. I recall visiting my LFS and spending some time observing their display tank with seahorses. They just kind of... hung there, clinging to the plants. I was considering getting some myself at the time, but after watching them for a while, I realized they didn't really do much of anything. It was almost like watching plastic decorations.

Of course, this is just my two cents, and ultimately the decision is yours. But trust me, don't underestimate the amount of work that goes into keeping seahorses happy and healthy.

[luremate]

I'm actually pretty stoked about the challenge and my girlfriend's been going on about them nonstop, so I'm gonna give it a shot.

[Cobyx]

I've gotta correct you here - dwarf seahorses and pygmy seahorses aren't the same thing. Dwarf seahorses, H. zosterae, are a different ball game compared to pygmy seahorses, which are actually a group of seahorses. Pygmies are usually found in coral reefs, whereas dwarfs call sea grass their home.

Now, I know some people might think dwarfs are a challenge, but honestly, I think they're the easiest seahorses to keep. Not that they're easy, just easier than the rest. All seahorses need special care and a tailored environment, but dwarfs are more forgiving. Their small size means you can keep a pair in a 10-gallon tank, which is a big plus.

[bould]

I've been thinking about difficulty levels, and I was actually picturing pygmy seahorses in my mind. But now I see the distinction between dwarfs and pygmies. That's a crucial difference I hadn't considered before.

[Cobyx]

Pygmy seahorses are like tiny, delicate creatures that demand a very specific environment, complete with their preferred coflake or sponge, to thrive. They're a far cry from the relatively hardy dwarfs. On the other hand, dwarfs are a different story altogether. Not only are they less finicky, but they're also prolific livebearers, which has earned them the nickname 'guppy seahorse'. Take a look at this photo of a dwarf seahorse - they're usually quite affordable, priced around $12 USD. If you want to get a better idea of what pygmy seahorses look like, I recommend checking out some images online.