More info
Datasheet
| Minimum Tank Size | 113 litres / 29.85 US gallons |
| Maximum Size | 15.2cm / 5.98inches |
| Reef Compatible | Yes |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Care Description | Difficult |
| Specific Gravity | 1.020-1.025 |
| Carbonate Hardness | 8-12 |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
General Description
The Kuda Seahorse, also known as the Spotted Seahorse, is a moderately sized seahorse with a color range from black to yellow, some sporting spots or a darker band on their body. They are part of the Syngnathidae family and can grow up to 15.2 cm in size.
Aquarium Suitability
Captive-bred Kuda Seahorses are suitable for aquariums. They thrive in a mated pair or small groups setup in a species-only tank, with a 30-gallon aquarium being sufficient for a single pair and an additional 10 gallons required for each extra pair.
Care and Hardiness
These seahorses have specific care demands, making them classed as difficult to care for. They are peaceful in temperament and prefer companionship with small, shy fish, but should not be housed with aggressive or fast-moving species. The temperature should be maintained below 74°F to prevent bacterial infections, and daily removal of detritus and uneaten food is necessary for their well-being. Monitoring and maintaining calcium and alkalinity levels is crucial for their health.
Reef Suitability
Kuda Seahorses are reef-compatible, although precautions should be taken with corals and anemones that have stinging tentacles or are large enough to harm them. They may coexist with certain corals like sea fans and Acropora, but continuous hitching can cause irritation.
Aquarium Setup
To create an ideal environment for Kuda Seahorses, owners can set up the aquarium with branching live rock, algae, or artificial decorations for hitching. Using spray bars to establish gentle flow and eliminate stagnant areas is advisable. Maintaining suitable water conditions such as a pH of 8.1-8.4, a salinity level from 1.020 to 1.025, and a carbonate hardness (KH) of 8-12 is essential for their well-being.
Behaviour
Seahorses, known for their unique appearance and social nature, are very curious and engaging fish. They interact with their surroundings, other tank inhabitants, and even their owners, making them fascinating to observe in an aquarium setting.
Feeding and Diet
Being carnivorous, Kuda Seahorses primarily feed on frozen Mysis shrimp, with occasional vitamin-enriched adult brine shrimp. Small, deliberate feedings two or more times a day are preferred, and they also consume amphipods and other small crustaceans found in live rock. Care should be taken to ensure they are not outcompeted for food by tank mates.
Dimorphism
Between captive reproduction and dimorphism, Kuda Seahorses display distinct characteristics based on gender, with females typically being larger and having a more rounded abdomen when pregnant. Further detail on captive breeding in aquariums, if addressed, could involve specific considerations for successful reproduction.
Habitat and Distribution
In the wild, Kuda Seahorses can be found in various habitats, including coastal areas, estuaries, and seagrass beds in the Indo-Pacific region. Their distribution spans from East Africa to the central Pacific Ocean.