Dwarf Seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae)

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

Care Level: Difficult

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: No

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size: 2"

Color Form: Black, Tan, White, Yellow

Diet: Carnivore

Origin: Caribbean

Are you looking for a challenging way to take your aquarium experience to the next level? Difficult to maintain, but endlessly fascinating, The Dwarf Seahorse (also known as the Seapony) is usually brown or white in color, though some may be yellow or yellow with black stripes; still others may be white with little black dots.

The Dwarf Seahorse requires a small, species-only aquarium and does best in groups of 4 or more. If keeping only one or two, a 2- or 5-gallon aquarium is suitable; if keeping more than 10 Dwarf Seahorses, use a 10 gallon aquarium. The smaller aquarium size helps concentrate the food. The aquarium should have a sponge filter.

The Dwarf Seahorse requires a continuous diet of freshly-hatched baby brine shrimp, copepods, and other shrimp larvae. It can be housed with snails, micro hermits, and small pipefish, however, the pipefish generally out compete it for food. It likes to grasp Caulerpa or other items with its prehensile tail. Live rock and live sand may contain stinging animals that can be aggressive towards this seahorse.