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Lined Seahorse
Hippocampus erectus
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Syngnathiformes›Syngnathidae
📍 Atlantic Ocean, Nova Scotia to Caribbean
Atlantic seahorse available as captive-bred specimens that are far hardier than wild-caught. Males brood young in a pouch. Requires a species-only tank with slow flow, hitching posts, and multiple frozen mysis feedings per day.
Care Guide
Diet
Lined seahorses are obligate carnivores requiring multiple daily feedings of frozen mysis shrimp, their primary diet. Feed small portions once daily, as they have limited stomach capacity and slow metabolisms. Occasionally supplement with frozen copepods or enriched brine shrimp to provide nutritional variety.
Behavior
Lined seahorses are sedentary, slow-moving fish that spend most of their time anchored to seagrass, coral, or hitching posts using their prehensile tails. They are peaceful and non-aggressive but can be outcompeted for food by faster swimmers. Males exhibit unique brooding behavior, carrying fertilized eggs in a specialized pouch until they are fully developed.
Breeding
Breeding captive-bred lined seahorses is possible but challenging and rarely successful in home aquariums. Pairs require pristine water conditions, abundant live food, and minimal disturbance to form bonds and reproduce. Fry are extremely difficult to rear due to their tiny size and specific dietary requirements.
Tank Mates
Peaceful reef fish with similar saltwater requirements; avoid aggressive clownfish species
Small, non-aggressive bottom dweller that won't compete for food or harass seahorses
Peaceful goby that stays in lower water column; minimal interaction with seahorses
Beneficial symbiotic relationship; helps remove parasites and debris without threatening seahorse
Small, peaceful shrimp that won't compete for mysis shrimp food sources
Common Diseases
Vibrio Infection (Bacterial)
Lethargy, loss of appetite, discolored patches on body, curved posture, rapid decline
Improve water quality immediately, perform 25% water changes daily, consider antibiotic treatment if available; prevention through pristine conditions is critical
Pouch Infection (Males)
Swollen or discolored brood pouch, reluctance to move, inability to release fry, male death if untreated
Maintain excellent water quality and low bioload; antibiotics may help if caught early; prevention through stress reduction is essential
Parasitic Copepods
Visible parasites on body, scratching against objects, lethargy, weight loss
Freshwater dips (brief, 2-3 minutes) may help; improve water quality and increase feeding; copper-based treatments should be avoided as seahorses are sensitive
Nutritional Deficiency
Curved spine, poor coloration, lethargy, inability to maintain upright posture
Ensure varied diet of quality frozen mysis shrimp and enriched foods; supplement with vitamin-enriched preparations; feed multiple times daily
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- frozen mysis shrimp
- maxSize
- 6 inches
- salinity
- SG 1.020–1.025
- minTankSize
- 30 gallons tall
- temperature
- 68–77°F (20–25°C)
Temperature
68–77°F
20–25°C