Care guide
Caring for seahorses
Seahorses are slow, gentle fish that need a calm species tank, cooler water and frequent feeding. Buy aquacultured seahorses, which eat frozen foods; wild ones rarely adapt.
A species tank
Keep seahorses with other seahorses or very calm tankmates, in a tall tank with gentle flow and hitching posts. Fast or nippy fish outcompete them for food.
Most seahorses prefer cooler water than reef fish, about 21 to 25°C.
Feeding
Feed thawed frozen mysis twice a day or more, and remove leftovers. Dwarf seahorses need live baby brine shrimp.
CITES
All seahorses are listed on CITES Appendix II. Captive-bred seahorses sold within Canada or the US don't usually need permits, but crossing borders does.
Further reading
General information to help you prepare, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different: ask an experienced vet about yours. Reviewed by PerfectPal on October 13, 2026.