Seahorse Tankmates Guide - Part I: Fish

Lionfish Lair · Jul 27, 2016

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* this is for "regular-sized" seahorses only and cannot be used in determining tankmates for Dwarf Seahorses.

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0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements

If you see an asterisk* after the rating, look for additional notes in that section.

View attachment 380243

So, what's in a number? It's pretty safe to say those with the 0, 1 and 2 rating are safe to add to your seahorse tank, provided individual needs of both fish are met.

A rating of 3 is pushing the envelope and may or may not work based on the individual personality of the particular fish you are trying to introduce. Please have alternative plans to house the tankmate, should a problem arise. There are plenty of fish in the 0-2 category, so it's really best to leave these be.

Those fish with a rating of 4 have no business being housed with a seahorse, IMO.

This is a rework of a guide from some years ago on another site that my friend Kevin and I put together on Seahorse.org. Many pictures are the same, so I wanted to explain that they are mine and not lifted from the other site (in case you run across the other one). I changed the rating system, so that it was less subjective. Back then I hated the idea of tankmates and fought it tooth and nail. LOL!

View attachment 379163

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements

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0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements

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0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379196

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379199

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

View attachment 379717

View attachment 379200

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379213

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379214

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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*At this point in the game, we should be buying captive bred horses. In doing so, Mandarins are not really a food competitor and earn the rating of zero.

View attachment 379216

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379217

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379218

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379219

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379222

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

View attachment 379907

View attachment 379223

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379224

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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* Blackfoot Lionfish (Parapterois heterura) are a coldwater fish and require tank temperatures lower than a seahorse can tolerate.

View attachment 379245

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379246

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379247

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379248

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

View attachment 379940

View attachment 379249

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379250

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379251

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379252

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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View attachment 379253

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
no food competition (*)
mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies
minimal food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive
more pronounced food competition
mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive
direct food competition
immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor
incompatible tank requirements/habits

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Lionfish Lair · Jul 30, 2016

Next up, CORALS!

shornik · Aug 3, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
View attachment 379203

0 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies

no food competition (*)

mostly benthic/cryptic and keep to themselves

1 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies

minimal food competition

mostly in water column, but does not have a fast/erratic swimming pattern

2 Risk Rating

no aggressive tendencies

minimal food competition

mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

3 Risk Rating

a little assertive

more pronounced food competition

mostly in water column and has fast or erratic swimming pattern

4 Risk Rating

semi-aggressive or aggressive

direct food competition

immaterial if aggressive or a direct food competitor

incompatible tank requirements/habits

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Hopefully it's ok to add to this list, which by the way is a great resource - thank you!

I have Ochre striped Cardinalfish with my seahorses and based on your rating scale I'd give them a 2 because frankly they are little piggies, they are completely non-aggressive towards the seahorse but can gobble up all the food before the seahorses have a chance. Here's a pic for those wondering....

Lionfish Lair · Aug 3, 2016

It's not just OK, it's encouraged. People can have so many different experiences!

Lionfish Lair · Aug 3, 2016

Edit: answered my own question.

revhtree · Aug 3, 2016

This is an awesome "thread" you have put together! More like VAULT of info! Thank you!

Lionfish Lair · Aug 3, 2016

Thanks!

If someone has kept a fish not on the list and has a picture to share, I would love to include it!

Ccruz65256 · Aug 3, 2016

How about a flaming prawn goby. Setting up a dwarf tank for my wife and wanted to put one in (love that fish).

Lionfish Lair · Aug 3, 2016

Dwarf are a whole different ballgame. This is for "regular-sized" fish only. I have zero familiarity with tankmates for a dwarf. I'm going to add that to the intro. Sorry.

nawilson89 · Aug 4, 2016

How about bass of the serranus family? I keep Belted Sandfish (Serranus subligarius) and I plan on having Chalk Bass.

Lionfish Lair · Aug 4, 2016

Well, that's odd. I thought I had the Chalk Basslet in there. I know someone who kept one with their horses. They were quick with the food and if you add that to their swimming behavior, I think that earns them a 2.

Tell me about the Belted? How is their behavior when compared to a chalk, for example. Are they "pushy"? Are they freaks with the food?

nawilson89 · Aug 4, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
Well, that's odd. I thought I had the Chalk Basslet in there. I know someone who kept one with their horses. They were quick with the food and if you add that to their swimming behavior, I think that earns them a 2.

Tell me about the Belted? How is their behavior when compared to a chalk, for example. Are they "pushy"? Are they freaks with the food?

They are incredibly active and seem to only bother with each other they only bothered my blenny for a few hours when I first introduced him now the blenny only bothers them when they get to close. I feed them mostly freeze dried krill and they take it and hide. I haven't had much experience with a chalk bass, but the one I had was fairly more active than the Belted. I think if the Chalk earns a 2 I would maybe put the belts at the same level.

Lionfish Lair · Aug 4, 2016

Thank you!!

nawilson89 · Aug 4, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
Thank you!!

Oh!... um you're welcome! I think!

vlangel · Aug 4, 2016

That is interesting that a Fu Manchu lionfish is a 0. What makes a Fu Manchu different from other lionfish?

nawilson89 · Aug 4, 2016

vlangel said:
That is interesting that a Fu Manchu lionfish is a 0. What makes a Fu Manchu different from other lionfish?

That's a great question, I assumed because it's more of a bottom area fish that scoots around?

vlangel · Aug 4, 2016

nawilson89 said:
That's a great question, I assumed because it's more of a bottom area fish that scoots around?

Even so, couldn't it still sting a seahorse that tried to hitch to it?

nawilson89 · Aug 4, 2016

vlangel said:
Even so, couldn't it still sting a seahorse that tried to hitch to it?

×D I've no clue

Lionfish Lair · Aug 4, 2016

Someone actually PM'd me and asked that already! I was actually going to put a notation in there and I guess now I really should.

The difference of the ratings for the lions is it's pretty much divided into groups of "how likely is it you will fit in my mouth?"
The 4s I have no doubt can fit into the lion's mouth in time.
The 3s, there's a chance if you get a small horse and a large lion. The seahorses being CB are often a little stunted in their size, so it's really hard to predict how big they'll be. A lion raised in captivity will not be as big as a wild caught brought in as an adult. If you had a stunted seahorse and adult wild lion, the lion may be able to eat it.

Fus got a zero rating because they are 1 of 2 types of lions that don't have the mouth size to eat a seahorse. The other is a Blackfoot, but they are a 4 rating because they are a coldwater fish. Fus are zero food competition and they also like to slither along the ground and won't be up in the seahorse's face.

It's actually hard to get stung by a lion. I used to be dead set against it and hitching was one of my concerns. I knew people who did it, but I was still against it. Now that I've kept venomous fish, I realize I was wrong with my impression. Lions really have no interest in stinging things and it would be an odd circumstance for it to occur accidently. They bump into each others spines all the time.

Lionfish Lair · Aug 4, 2016

In the first picture, the header picture, that's my seahorse with a scorpionfish. Mind you, they had to be separated after a while as the scorpionfish grew and his adult size was too big. Here he was just a youngin, in the picture.