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Southern Knight Seahorses


Southern Knight Seahorses

Southern Knight Seashorses

(TANK BRED TEMPERATE SPECIES) Hippocampus abdominalis

Southern Knight Seahorses are temperate marine fish found in coastal waters of south-eastern Australia. Seahorses are unique animals, which make spectacular aquarium subjects. They have a graceful manner, attractive colouration, and a prehensile tail. 


Southern Knight Seahorses are now being commercially produced in Australia.
Being tank reared, these fish are surprisingly easy to keep. Being a temperate species, they can also be kept in an unheated indoor aquarium in most regions of Australia and will eat frozen foods. Maximum length is 20-25 cm.

TANK SET UP
• Can be kept in filtered aquaria of 40 litres capacity or more. Larger volumes of water are easier to look after and tend to be more stable.
• For the hobbyist’s tank, a maximum of 4 seahorses per 40 litres is recommended to allow for growth. Allow at least 50 litres water capacity for each adult pair of Southern Knight Seahorses.
• Low stocking densities are preferred.
• 25% percent water changes should be done each fortnight, (increase to 50% for the first 4-6 weeks).
• Seahorses require very well oxygenated water, so air uplifts are essential - standard air-driven under gravel filters and airstones 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 – plastic decorations and 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.



TEMPERATURE RANGE:
Southern Knight Seahorses soon adjust to temperatures within 12-24?C, with optimum temperatures being 15-210C. 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 250C.

WATER CONDITIONS:
• Requires either natural seawater or artificial seawater, salinity range: 14 ppt to 28 ppt (1.010 to 1.020 specific gravity). When preparing artificial seawater, ensure the water used contains no chlorine, or has been treated with an anti-chlorine agent.
• pH: preferably 8.2 - 8.4, do not exceed 9.0. Monitor regularly.
• The biological filter will need to be fully establish before the tank is fully stocked.
• Monitor the Nitrate level and keep it low to prevent diseases.

FEEDING:
Southern Knight Seahorses have been trained to eat frozen brine shrimp and frozen plankton but should not be fed exclusively on brine shrimp. Small frozen krill, mysis shrimp and mixed ocean plankton are all readily available and make ideal foods. Ensure no uneaten food remains in the aquarium.

BREEDING:
Males can be recognized by their belly pouch and during spawning females transfer their eggs to the male’s pouch where they are nurtured for about 30-50 days, depending on temperature. Newborn fry can be fed on live baby brine shrimp.

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, filtered water, regular water changes, and correct feeding.


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