Weird happenings and a seahorse question

[trigger6]

This weekend I introduced a dwarf lionfish and clown trigger into my community tank, one at a time, trigger first. As soon as the trigger swam out of the small bucket I used to dump him in, my maroon clown swam straight up to him and....wait for it....KISSED HIM!! Multiple times!! Three or four times, right on the mouth, then once on what passes for a triggers "cheek", then a few more times on the mouth. *** do ya make of that??

The lionfish experienced the same greeting, though not as many kisses were exchanged (two, I think). These did NOT appear to be bites...the movement of the clownfish was urgent, but not aggressive, and neither new fish reacted in any way, as you might expect if there was some kind of pain or something. My wife was watching with me, and swear to god, it looked EXACTLY like a kiss!

15 years of doing this, never saw *anything* like that. Ironically, with all the behavioral shenanigans I've had in my tank, nobody ever messes with the clownfish. My wife says now we know why.

Next subject...my wife saw a seahorse tank this weekend, and of course, won't be happy now until we have one. I know little/nothing about their care and feeding. Can anyone recommend the definitive book on this subject?

TIA

[Bill King]

Check out Seahorse.org

http://forum.seahorse.org/

Lots of excellent info from good people.

good luck
Bill

[vijaysub]

Also try out this place.

http://www.syngnathid.org/

Just some pointers about seahorses.

Get Captive bred if at all possible. That way you know they are going to eat. Usualy diet is PE Mysis and most people enrich it with various additives.

You CAN keep seahorses with certain dosile fish but you have to be very selective. Do Not keep them with SPS/LPS. Softies are usually OK. (There are list of safe corals)

Make sure you get a good cleanup crew cause these are extremely dirty lil creatures.

Lastly Make sure you find out what the correct tank paramters are for the particular species. Most horses can not tolerate Reef tank temps for extended periods.

Hope this helps.

Vijay

[BeanAnimal]

Bob Nell gave me a maroon clown during his move. It does stange things like that also. Kinda reminds me of an oscar or other "dog" like fish. He is wonderful, other than creating a sandstorm at bedtime every night.

Bean