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Southern Knight Seahorses are
temperate marine fish found in coastal waters of
south-eastern Australia and also in New Zealand.
Seahorses belong to the family Sygnathidae which has
over 200 species (half of which occur in Australian
waters.) This species is also known as the Large-belly
or Big-belly Seahorse.
Seahorses are unique animals which
make spectacular aquarium subjects. They have a
graceful manner, attractive colouration and are
reported to live for up to 9 years in captivity. They
also have an unusual prehensile tail which is used to
hold onto seaweed or the substrate. Another unusual
feature is that when Seahorses breed, the male becomes
pregnant and gives birth to hundreds of tiny live
seahorses!
Their strange appearance has long
fascinated mankind and many people still consider them
almost as a mystical creature!
Southern Knight Seahorses are now
being commercially produced in Australia, helping to
ensure that wild stocks are not over-exploited. Being
tank reared, these fish are surprisingly easy to keep.
They are quite tolerant of varying water salinity and
temperature, will eat frozen foods and come from a
disease free hatchery. Being a temperate species, they
can also be kept in an unheated indoor aquarium in
most regions of Australia.
Tank Set-up
Can be kept in filtered aquaria, or
in bowls (20 litres or more is best).
Four to eight 7 cm Seahorses can be
housed in a 20 litre bowl with under gravel
filtration. (A much larger aquarium is preferable in
areas which receive a lot of summer heat).
Twenty-five percent water changes
should be done each fortnight, (increase to fifty
percent for bowls or aquaria holding less that 50
litres).
Seahorses require very well
oxygenated water, so air uplifts are essential -
standard air-driven under gravel filters and air
stones are ideal.
Substrate should be shell grit or
crushed coral, or a 50/50 mixture of aquarium gravel
and shell grit. Tank decorations should be added for
the Seahorses to hang on to - well seasoned driftwood
or plastic plants which are not too spiky are ideal.
Rocks can also be utilized. Do not place live corals
in with the Seahorses as the corals may sting and kill
them within several days.
Seahorses are best kept without any
other fish species, as their gentle nature does not
allow them to compete for food.
Maximum Size
Grows to 20-25 cm in Australian
waters, grows to 30cm in New Zealand in cooler
conditions.
Colouration
Colours can vary as Seahorses are
able to mimic their surroundings. Usually olive, white
or golden, with variable dark spotting.
Temperature Range
Southern Knight Seahorses soon
adjust to temperatures within 12-26°C. with optimum
temperatures being 15-22°C. Aquarium heaters are not
required in most indoor situations. During heat wave
conditions ensure air stones are operating strongly to
ensure optimum oxygen levels, and use air conditioning
or party ice to hold the temperature below 28°C.
Water Conditions
Requires either seawater or
artificial seawater, salinity range: 14ppt to 28ppt
(1.010 to 1.020 specific gravity). When preparing
artificial seawater, ensure the water used contains no
chlorine.
pH: preferably 8.2 - 8.4, do not
exceed 9.0.
Do not use aquarium water that has
previously held other fish or invertebrates. Although
Seahorses are quite tolerant to ammonia and nitrite,
their biological filter will still need to fully
establish before the tank is fully stocked.
Feeding
Southern Knight Seahorses have been
trained to eat frozen brine shrimp. At temperatures
below 20°C, each Seahorse can eat up to 20-25 brine
shrimp once a day. At temperatures between 20°C and
25°C, they should be fed twice a day. They will also
eat small frozen krill, and live brine shrimp. In
time, Seahorses can learn (reluctantly) to eat flake
food, if they are fed a mixture of frozen shrimp and
ground flake food.
Ensure no uneaten food remains in
the aquarium.
Breeding
Southern Knight Seahorses begin
breeding at 4 months of age. Males can be recognized
by their belly pouch, they actually inflate the pouch
to its maximum extent to try and impress potential
mates. During spawning, females transfer their eggs to
the male's pouch where they are nurtured for about
30-50 days, depending on the temperature. Large
speciments release broods of 300 - 400 fry. In the
wild, males release 3 or 4 broods over summer. The
male's pouch is white and darkens in colour as the
eggs develop. newborn fry are about 21mm long and can
be fed on live baby brine shrimps.
Health
The key to the wellbeing of
seahorses is good water quality and good food,
(particularly when kept in small aquariums or bowls).
Unpacking Procedures
Before unpacking, please check
temperature of both shipping water and future holding
tank.
Please note:
*If the tank is warmer than the
shipping water, lower the temperature by adding ice.
(Party ice is ideal as it is chlorine free.) The
effect of the ice on salinity will be negligible. When
the temperatures have equalized, release the
Seahorses. The aquarium water temperature will then
gradually return to its previous temperature.
*If the holding tank is colder than
the transport bag, float the unopened bag for 5-10
minutes or until the temperatures equalize, before
releasing the Seahorses.
Summary
Southern Knight Seahorses make a
fascinating and enjoyable pet. They are also quite
easy to keep - if given a few simple requirements such
as the correct temperature and filtered water, regular
water changes and correct feeding.
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