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Seahorses In these pages you will find all about seahorses (seahorse). We give you a lot of advices to take care of it, so that they can stay beautiful seahorses. |
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IntroductionI have often heard that keeping and breeding seahorses in captivity is hard to perform, hmm... True enough, but it is really possible if you are careful, endeavoring and have a lot of time.Having never kept a fresh or marine water aquarium, except goldfish as a child, I had to learn very fast when I went into that venture to keep a marine aquarium. Unfortunately, very little has been written in detail about seahorses. Though many books and fish magazines are devoted to aquariums, the subject of seahorses is scarcely evoked (here are some recommended books about seahorses). My contribution to this subject is the result of personal research and experiencing, through difficulties as I had no serious references and could not even count on diverging opinions on the matter. I want to say there is no specific rule about keeping seahorses, but as you certainly know, only "practice makes perfect". This is particularly true with seahorses. I wish to thank all the persons who gave me an advice and supported me with kindness and patience. I hope that this site will help you to know more about seahorses and that you will share my passion for these fascinating animals. 
Man has always been puzzled by this strange animal. Unfortunately, little is done in the world to save this gentle animal. At present, seahorses are in danger due to sidespreed mass killing in the world for debatable medicinal products and other questionable needs. That is why the best way is that fish amateurs have to try to breed animals in captivity. Out of 10 imported animals, only around 1 to 3 survive the transport, often in a real bad shape. Nowadays, some countries still use shameful fishing and transport methods. The animals are subject to bad treatment, sometimes to poisoning due to inadequate fishing products, lack of light and probably of oxygen, underfeeding and water pollution.
On the other hand the surviving animals may be ill. Sometimes, they undergo medical treatment the importers and/or the retailers. An animal apparently in good health, may die little after having been carefully put into a private tank, without any explanation of the phenomenon. Some will object that so few surviving animals are just a drop in an ocean and they are right. A seahorses keeper should not be accounted for that, as he will generally do his best to make his seahorses be well and happy. Some others will say OK, but you do not contribute in the effort of protecting the species in the sea by breeding your own seahorses. They are not wrong, but it is not because some do not wish to breed babies that all amateurs act the same. Furthermore, keeping animals bred in captivity is rewarding. It is certain that bred animals will then be stronger and fitter in our tank. This will not really affect the mass killing of seahorses, but may be considered as a little step towards the rehabilitation of this species. If you wish you can do a Donation to conservation of wild seahorses in the world. It seems that recently seahorses are forbidden the import in certain countries. All animals need our greatest respect, they are on Earth to live and not to die. Let us hope, that in the future, children will have the joy to see living animals instead of watching only their pictures in a book. Seahorses keeping : a passion, not only a hobby!
As you will note from reading these pages, keeping and breeding seahorses is not to be considered as idle talk. You have to be really motivated and involved. It is not enough to watch them to satisfy your own curiosity. You may not ask children to take care of such tanks. The needs of the animals must always be satisfied of else they suffer severe damage.
The beginner has to strive. Experienced persons dealing with sea water and other marine species have to be particularly careful : their experience may mislead them. Problems may appear during holiday periods. A sea tank obeys this rule. Only ask responsible persons to take care of the tank, they should be well informed of the basic rules about marine tanks and especially about food quantities to be given. However well intentioned a person may be, he/she will tend to over feed them and be panic stricken in front of a problem. |
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