Care Level: Advanced
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: No
General Description: The Erectus Seahorse, also known as the Lined Seahorse, has a wide distribution across the United States Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico, found as far north as Nova Scotia and as far south as Brazil. Wild specimens are rare in the industry now, as Erectus seahorses have been successfully bred and raised in captivity for many generations now. Nevertheless, Erectus seahorses (even captive bred) are specialized animals that require exceptional dedication and attention from the hobbyist in order to thrive. Male and female Erectus seahorses look similar overall, except for the brooding pouch males develop. Erectus seahorses can have a number of different “base” colors including black, brown, yellow, grey, olive, orange and red, and these colors can change in response to the environment, diet or even mood! Erectus seahorses are social, so keeping a pair or group is suggested. Erectus seahorses can reach an adult size of approximately 5″ to 7″ in length.
Diet Requirements: Erectus seahorses are carnivores, actively hunting tiny crustaceans throughout the day. Encouraging an Erectus seahorse to accept prepared foods can be a challenge at first. We have found that offering live brine shrimp at the beginning can gain the interest of particularly fussy or stubborn individuals. Equipping the aquarium with a refugium can also be beneficial to circulate a healthy population of copepods for your Erectus seahorse to feed on as they choose. Note: All of our Erectus seahorses for sale are eating a combination of live and frozen foods. Ultimately, a diet consisting of various meaty preparations such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and calanus will maintain optimal health and coloration. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements, as Erectus seahorses have very high metabolisms. Seahorses absolutely require multiple feedings per day.
Care Requirements: A very established minimum 30 gallon aquarium is needed for a pair of Erectus seahorses. Upgrade the aquarium accordingly to accomodate more adult specimens and a larger group. Erectus seahorses do not swim much and therefore do not need a large aquarium, but the size suggested helps to provide a more stable environment in terms of water parameters. A taller vs. longer tank shape is also better for Erectus seahorses. Seahorses are not tolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes, and an established tank will also offer more abundant microinvertebrates and crustaceans (such as amphiopods and copepods) for them to prey on. Biweekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters in good condition (Nitrates < 20 ppm). The aquarium should have plenty of suitable objects for your Erectus seahorse to cling/hold onto including branch rock, macroalgae, or dried seafans. Seahorses are not powerful swimmers, have a very slow eating strategy, are extremely docile and have a generally fragile nature. Given all of this, Erectus seahorses are best kept as a species only tank. We do not recommend Erectus seahorses for a reef aquarium because the water movement typical of a reef tank is too powerful. Certain corals, such as Euphyllia, could also harm an Erectus seahorse if it was to grab hold of it. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Small: 1″ to 2-1/2″; Medium: 2-1/2″ to 4″; Large: 4″ to 5-1/2″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.