The Breeder’s Registry© Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be reproduced providing the Breeder’s Registry is cited.

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Breeder ID: HIPERE-060196-BALPAU-002

Date received: 6/1/96

Identification: Hippocampus erectus (Perry, 1810-11 )

Geographic origin: Atlantic

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Taxonomy: (after I.C.Z.N.)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Syngnathiformes

Family: Syngnathidae

Genus: Hippocampus

Species: erectus

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Duration male(yr): 0.4

Size male(mm): 150

Duration female (yr): 0.4

Size female (mm): 150

Broodstock notes: Male and female came from two separate shipments

Physical differences: Male has pouch

Adult diet: Adult brine shrimp and grazing

Pre-spawning activity: Males and females entwine tails, lasts about 7 seconds. Female becomes noticeably thinner and male fuller. Some eggs do not “transfer” and settle to bottom. .

Time spawning began: PM

Area spawning occurred: mid-water

Frequency of spawning: twice, one hour apart

Egg description: Eggs deposited in males pouch, ovoid

Approximate quantity: 80?

Size:~3 mm

Egg changes / development: males pouch becomes larger during incubation period

Incubation period: 20 days Time hatching occurred:(Birthing) all day

Size of hatching larvae:~6 mm

Yolk sac present? no, fully formed

Newly hatched appearance: miniatures of parents, although not as “full”

Transfer / removal method: not indicated

Spawning tank size (liter):375 (182 x 35 x 35 cm)

Sides of tank covered? No

Lighting & photo period: 80 watt actinic & 80 watt Ultralume®, 16 hours

Filtration: Reverse undergravel, protein skimmer (with ozone), ~ 2300 l/hr circulation.

Additives and dosages: Natural and artificial seawater. Calcium, Lugol’s and strontium 3x/week

Water temperature (F): 74-81

Specific gravity: 1.020

pH: 8.4

Nitrate: 10 ppm

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Fry development / changes: Free swimming “skinny” miniatures of adults. Begin feeding immediately

First food offered: rotifers (continually)

Second food offered: Artemia nauplii

Survival

1st week(%):100%

2nd week: 99%

3rd week: 95%

4th week: 85%

Development description: Most early losses due to birth defects (not being able to adjust buoyancy)

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Rearing tank size (liter): 37

Sides of tank covered? No

Lighting & photoperiod: 15 watt flourescent, 16 hours/day

Filtration: none

Additives and dosages: Artificial seawater, 50% change per day.

Water temperature (F): 71

Specific gravity: 1.020

pH: 8.4

Nitrate: not indicated

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Comments: Even with a 50% daily water change substrate became covered with cyanobacteria. Filtration is difficult due to small size of food(s) and water movement must be limited due to weak swimming abilities of young seahorse. Only moderate aeration was used and young fed better when aeration was stopped (no matter how much food was added). Must be fed frequently. Can take “smaller” adult brine shrimp at 3 months.

Original description: First described by Perry in Arcana v. 1, p. 177, from specimens collected in the American Seas, Mexico, West Indies. The description was validated by Smith C. L. and Edwards & Glass

Word origin: Hippocampus (Greek), a fabulous sea monster. hipp, -e, -o, =us, (Greek) a horse. camp, =us, (Greek) , a sea monster. erect, (Latin), upright.

About this report: Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations. Taxonomy, Synonomy, Original description , Word origin and Suggested reading are provided by member(s) of The Breeder’s Registry staff. Information is presented under the belief that it is accurate. If you have information in addition to, or contrary to that presented you are encouraged to contact the Breeder’s Registry. Permission is granted for “one-time” personal use. Reproduction as distributed or accessible media is prohibited without prior written permission. All rights reserved. 1996