Air in male seahorses pouch?

[apayne]

So here is my dilemma,

I have had my male Reidi seahorse for about 9 months, and not until just recently has he had air in his pouch. I seam to need to burp him about every 2 days.

Is there any thing I can do to stop this?

I just recently downsizes my 75 into a 24 NC and also combined it with my 12g sea horse tank. I do have a 10g refugium I could put him in if needed, but I do not know if that will help. He is in the tank with a fire fish, false perc, and dragonet. Every one seams to get plenty to eat and he does not seam stressed except for the gas problem.

I do not have a skimmer, but there is lots of air bubbled in the water column.

Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[ann83]

Aaron, there may be too much CO2 in the tank and not enough oxygen. What temperature is the tank running at and what are you using for filtration/surface agitation?
You also may need to do a Diamox flush and/or keep an eye on him for signs of infection.

 

[apayne]

Ann,

Temp is 76.9, I am using a quiet one 3000 return from the sump with 3 inlets into the tank. I have a 10g refugium that is over the display and empties into the tank, this is where most of my bubbles come from.


I don't think that CO2 would be a problem, but I have no way to prove that. What is Diamox and is it reef safe? He does not seam to have any signs of infection.

Here are some pics of my set up and sea horse.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[ann83]

He looks fine in that pic you posted. Is that an old pic? I wouldn't mess with the pouch unless it is causing him to float or swim upside down.

Try bringing the temperature down under 74 degrees. That may help prevent the reoccuring pouch troubles. 76.9 is a pretty high temp for reidi, and if that is the regular temp for the tank, that could be a source of the issues. Higher temps also reduce O2 saturation.

 

[apayne]

Ann,m

I just took that this morning. He is floating and swimming upside down, he is able to use the current to get down and grab onto a hitching spot, but he has a hard time. Unfortunately, I have to use a blunt bobby pin to get the air out of his pouch.

I do not think it is good for him to need this procedure every two days, STRESSFUL.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[ann83]

I agree. I think you really need to bring that temperature down.

I would also go ahead and put an order in for Diamox since you have to order it from overseas and it takes a while to get here; just in case fixing the temperature doesn't fix it.

What are your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH readings?

 

[ann83]

You can order Diamox here http://www.inhousedrugstore.com/neurological/diamox.html

You can find the instructions for a Diamox pouch flush here
http://www.inhousedrugstore.com/neurological/diamox.html

Also, what changed on the seahorse system when you changed up the tanks? What equipment, tankmates, parameters, anything, are different than they were before?

 

[apayne]

Everything is the same, just more bubbles in the tank and the tank is larger.
The link for the pouch flush is the same as the other. could you repost it?

Thanks so much for your help,
Aaron

 

[ann83]

oh woops. Okay, here's the pouch flush link...
http://forum.seahorse.org/index.php?showtopic=24747&hl

 

[apayne]

Thanks, I will check that out.