Feeding Babies!

[Dive Master]

Hi All

Switched the tank light on this morning and the male horse gave birth to probably 100-200 babies!

What food should I put in the tank?

Thanks.

[denise.gardner]

depends on which species.reidi/rotifers.barbouri newborn brine shrimp.have you taken the babies out and out them in a nursery?you need to scoop them out with a cup or baster making sure they do not snick air.have you got baby brine shrimpon the go you will need to set up a hatchery as they will need bb that is less then 8 hours old.i would say that they are reidi so you will need some rotifers and copepods as these are more nutricious then bb but you will still need bb.also zm one of the ponsers dos a fry food zm100 and thee are good results being reported with this

[Dive Master]

Thanks Denise. Unfortunately I do not have a nursery.

I am ill prepared as I wan't expecting this! Just called an lfs and they said they have instant baby brine shrimp, so hopefully this should be ok.

Not sure whether I can get myself some rotifiers unless ordering from a sponsor.

If I was to set up a nursery, what would I need ie tank size, filtration, etc.

Thanks.

[denise.gardner]

you only need a small tank i use a small16 litre tank you can pick these up for about £15.a small heater,an air pump with airline.you need to blackout the back and sides of the tank not the front,also put something over the top to darken the top.as reidi fry head to the light and so does there food.i have a small light that i shine at the bottom of the tank it will stop the fry gulping air.reefphyto is the best place to order rots you either put them in the fridge where they will last a week or put them in a container with tank water and add an airline and they last ages just keep adding water,unfortunatley it may be to late for these ones but you will get more within two weeks.i would also set up a brine shrimp hatchery again with an airline if you pm me your address i will send you some of the eggs i have as they are smaller then the usual.

[Dive Master]

Very grateful for your advice Denise.

I've just bought a tank from the lfs at lunch. Will be setting this up when I get home from work.

I'll pm you later for the brine eggs.

Thanks again!

[Joanna]

Congratulations on the babies. :D PM sent!

Joanna

[saltyell]

Good work mate ;) from what I have read the babies do best in a seperate tank where yo can monitor them more carefully. Be sure to get some pics up!:D

[Dive Master]

:crying:

Wife was sad, our daughter was sad. We've just got home. All the babies are gone.

At least I bought a tank and prepared for the next brood.

There was literally 100+ reidi's. I fear that they have been eaten by the parents and/or the clowns.

Well, lesson learnt for next time.

Thanks for all your help guys.

[denise.gardner]

sorry to hear that. seahorses dont eat their young so it was either the clowns or poss the filter i would still keep looking as you may still find one or two.but in 12 plus days you will have some more.if you want still pm me and i will send you that food....den

[saltyell]

sorry to hear that mate. I think when i get mine i will purposefully feed some of my SH fry to my reef tank, and by culling a few babies it gives more of a cnahce for few babies there are left. :)

[Dive Master]

Thanks again Denise. I've replied to your pm.